'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the year 1932' [‎518r] (11/73)

3
The First Secretary of the U. S. S. R. Legation (M. Jaque Einhorn),
accompanied by the Russian Consul-General from Shiraz and a M. Ivan Schotsf
of the Trade Organization were in Bushire from the 1st to the 4th December.
C.-—British Interests.
In 1931 the Persian authorities complained that at certain of the Imperial
and International Communications Company (late Indo-European Telegraph
Department) stations British flags were being flown. After lengthy correspond
ence it became apparent that the Persians were averse to the flying by foreigners
of their national flags except on limited occasions and in ceitain positions.
The Persian Government also insisted that Consulates should not have flags llv mg
from flag staffs which were affixed to the ground but only from poles above the
Consular buildings themselves.
At the end of 1931 it was thought that the matter had died a natural death,
but in February 1932 orders were received to the effect that flagstaffs planted
in the*ground must not be used after the 22nd February. In accordance with
instructions from H. M.’s Legation, Tehran, these orders were complied with,
but until the change-over to roof poles was effected on the 24th no flag was flown.
The main mast of the Bn shire (Town) Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. flagstaff was left in situ
to carrv the beacon (red and white lights) which is used by steamers entering
the inner anchorage. The topmast (75 feet in length) was removed bodily.
This flagstaff had been a landmark for over 100 years.
Flagstaffs at the Imperial and International Communications Company
stations "at Bushire, Hen jam, Jask, and Charbar, were dismantled.
inqlo-Persian Oil Company, Limited.—Bushire responded very half
heartedly to the orders issued by Tehran that there should be genera^rejoicings
at the cancellation by the Persian Government of the D’Arcy Concession. Only
on the night of the 3rd December were a few shops decorated and illuminated.
In November the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Limited, withdrew from
Lavar (Khu i Mund) where they had drilled to 3,GOO feet. The existence of
oil had been discovered at an earlier stage. They moved to Qishm Island where
exploratory drilling was to be recommenced.
The Imperial and International Communications, Limited^ (the old Indo-
European Telegraph Department) continued their excellent service of submarine
and wireless telegraphy.
Messrs. Zieglers continued their Branch in Bushire, though sadly affected
bv the fall in the export and import business in Persia. Only by drastic reduc
tions of staff have they resisted disaster, but the future of this old established
Manchester firm is gloomy.
The Mesopotamia Persia Corporation, Limited (Mespers) relied solely on
their British India Steam Navigation Company Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. work as they also had
no other business.
The Imperial Bank of Persia continued to hold the confidence of the mer
chants and investing public in spite of the rivalry of the Persian Government
National Bank (staffed by German Managers) and the Soviet Bank. The latter
was merely a Bank in name. All its funds were kept in the strong-rooms of the
National Bank.
British Navy.—The Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Captain
L G. E. Crabhe, D.S.O., R.N., in HALS. “ Triad ” and H.M. Sloops—
<< Fowey “ Shoreham ”, and “ Bideford ’’—visited Bushire on various
occasions during the year. Thanks to the sympathetic action by the Governor
no petty obstructions were offered by the Customs and Police.
An obstructive Quarantine Medical Officer who had occasioned the Navy
some trouble at Henjam was transferred in September.
SECTION 3.
Local Government.
Governor of the Gulf Ports. Islands Dashti and Dash fist an.—Eh Excellency
Ana Mirza Ali Ashgar Khan Taliqani continued as Governor during the whole
year and showed himself to be a sympathetic, friendly, and obliging official. He
Lc338FD
/