"تقارير إدارية ١٩٠٥-١٩١٠" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎١] (٦١٦/٢٢٧)

32 'ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY
The Sheikb, however, chose to maintain that the prospects of the 1908 crop
were ruined, and issued orders to the tribes to at once cease selling grain.
Simultaneously measures were taken to prevent the brokers who are employed
bv all buyers from s^oing out among the tribes or from purchasing, and among
others Messrs Lynch Brothers found their brokers put under restraint. All
this occurred without anv notice being given to Messrs. Lynch Brothers or to
this Vice-Consulate, and Sheikh Hanznl when questioned as to the measures he
was taking under the Sheikh's instructions was unable to quote any ovfov
officially, but he did privately show a letter on the subject from Sheikh Khaza'l,
which fully covered him.
In Arkbistan unfortunately, as in Mesopotamia, it is impossible to buy
produce from the Arabs without making large cash advances.
Lvnch having their advances to the Arabs as well as to transport Agents
imperilled, were forced to bring the Sheikh's action into question. Keference
was accordingly made to him by this Vice-Consulate, and a lengthy and evasive
answer was received, representing that the Arabs had become alarmed and
themselves urged that this prohibition should be introduced and tnatthe Sheikh,
if he had done anvthing, had merely tacitly acquiesced in the unanimous desire
of the people, which was of course untrue, also that restrictions were merely a
matter of domestic economy, and had no kinship with formal embargoes
imposed by the Central Government. Further the proposal was put forward
that the exporters should resume their business under written engagements
that they would in case of necessity re-import a similar quantity of grain to
that which they should export, and place it on the market at the same price
as that at which the latter had been purchased.
In the meantime reference made earlier to His^ Majesty's Legation was
bearing fruit, and a telegram was received by His Majesty's Consul at Muham-
merah from His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires, desiring him to inform the Sheikh
that restrictions put on the freedom of trade being opposed to our Treaty rights
with Persia would not be tolerated. Shortly afterwards the restrictions were
removed. It has only been possible to treat this matter here in outline, and
information regarding many points not mentioned must be sought in the
original correspondence. The scheme is probably to be credited to Haji Rais,
and it is possible that he succeeded in misleading the Sheikh, for whose good
faith in the matter a fair case might then be made out. But it is impossible
to entirely explain away the failure to give warning and the underhand way in
which the measures were put in force.
It may be noted that though eventually the rains failed and the crops in
Southern Arabistan in the ensuing year will be a negligible quantity, no move
has been made towards the imposition of a properly authorised embargo.
]5. MuhammeraJi. — It is sufficient here to note that during the past year
Sheikh Ktiaza'l installed his son. Sheikh Chasib, as Deputy Governor at
Muhammerah in place of his foimer Agent 'Abdi.
Chasib has as " Wazir " a young Persian, Abdul Majid, who has spent
some time in England and of whom it is difficult to say much good beyond
that he is intelligent.
The new regime has been interesting itself in sanitation and other foreign
ideas. Sheikh Khaza'l has also been occupied in ( xtendine: the town, and has
lately taken in hand the construction of a canal between the Shat-el.Arab and
the Karun.
16. According to report a proposal was made in winter by the Tehran
Majlis for the institution of a local Majlis at Muhammerah for which it was
proposed to depute suitable members. After some passages of diplomatic arms
the Sheikh was left in possession of the field.
17., Nasiri —The town continued to extend at the accelerated rate which
besan in 1^06, but it is questionable whether the population has increased
pari passu with the increased accommodation available for it.
The rumour received from time to lime of the establishment of a local
Majlis at Muhammerah excited the ambitious of two or three knavish, and sw*
disant enlightened, members of Nasiri society, and they began to talk openly
of the desirability of setting up a public assembly in the town.