"تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للأعوام ١٩١٥-١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎٢‎٠] (٣٩٦/٤٧)

80
PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORT
Sirdar Saiyid Khan is the ruler of this the largest district in Persian
Baluchistan. He has hitherto been consi-
Gaih District. dcred the strongest and most influential
chief in these parts, but it would appear that his authority is fast on the
wane owing to his opium smoking habits; and it is also said that since the death
of his eldest son, Mehrab Khan, this chief takes little or no interest in the
affairs of the country. His advisers are Islam Khan of Bint, Shai Dost
Muhammad Khan, his uncle, and one of his younger brothers.
The news from Bampur has been scanty and unreliable and nothing of
interest has come to hand. Sirdar Saiyid Khan is still the Governor, but of late
he has spent the greater part of his time in Gaih leaving others to administer
the country.
German agents are reported to be in Bam but so far their influence in
Persian Baluchistan has not made itself appreciably felt and it is hoped the
more influential chiefs will prevent them from coming near the coast.
Sirdar Islam Khan of Bint is the coming man and it is quite likely he
will, sooner or later, assume control of Gaih, Kusserkand and other places if
Saiyid Khan does not interest himself more in the affairs of the country than
he has done within the past few years. This chief is considered by some as one
whose loyalty is in doubt and this was increased by the chief's behaviour during
the time Khalifah Khair Muhammad was giving trouble last summer but, if
his conduct was considered unsatisfactory then, it certainly has improved
within the past few months and I think he can now be depended on to act in
our interests.
Sirdars Mahmud Khan and his nephew Din Muhammad Khan share this
Dashtiar; district. The ill-feeling which has existed
for many years still continues between
uncle and nephew. The latter murdered his uncle's Wazir last summer and
this has added to the bad relationship Rum ours of impending trouble between
these two men are periodically being received and, in my opinion, the younger
man, who is much the stronger, will before long oust his uncle from Dashtiari
and assume control of the whole district.
This place is under the dual control of Mirs Ashraf Khan and Ahmad
Ballu Khan and as these chiefs have been living
on peaceful terms nothing of interest has
occurred in their district during the past year.
The exportation of slaves from the Mekran to the Arab coast has practi-
Genei . al cally ceased, no cases having been brought
to my notice during the past year, but
slaves^continue to change hands in the country.
The rainfall this winter has been scanty and irregular and what has fallen
is too late for the Tvheat crop, jowari being the only cereal likely to grow in
any quantity. Last year the rains were plentiful in the earlier part of the season
and scanty towards the end, resulting in the partial failure of both the wheat
and jowari crops. Thus semi-famine conditions prevail throughout the country
and the suspension of the steamer service from India is making conditions
harder for the people as it is impossible for the merchants to import foodstuffs.
Tne war continues to be the subject of interest to every one and, from what
I can gather, ^he interest taken in the operations in Mesopotamia far outwei a h
anything in connection w T ith Germany. The people appear to be imbued with
the idea that the British Government was the aggressor, so far as Turkey was
concerned, and that we are entirely to blame for the campaign in Mesopotamia.
The sympathies of the country are with Turkey all the way, and any news,
particulaily if unfavourable to us, is of the greatest interest and very agreeably
received by the people. D