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to believe that th<^ Allies were coming out on top after all, and this
U turn began to turn the minds of people more towards their own
difficulties which were growing daily from the fast rising prices of
foodstuffs and goods. _
K Nevertheless it may be said that the recollection of easy
trade with Germans and of markets plentifully stocked with German (and
fipinese) goods, and the growing realisation that that easy trade w&6
it an end and was not going to be replaced by similar facilities from
lllied sources, and the fact that large numbers of aliens w'*re flooding
the country who so far from bringing goods with them, were using up
Sit was in the country, all contributed to a growing resentment against
thi British. The failure also of the latter to remove totally the
foil elements of the late regime, who on the contrary seemed to enjoy
Iheir continued support, tended also to produce much disatisfaction
■tongst many well-wishers who had hoped for better things.
BIBAL SITUATION.
^ During most of the year interest has been centred on the
foihgals. Muhammad Nasir Qashgai, eldest son of the late Saulat-ud-
lofleh, remained firm in his decision not to come in ana submit to
the Persian Government, professing nevertheless obedience and readiness
j&cooperate in the suppression of banditry in his area.
The spring migration of the tribes took place as usual, the
Jocks and herds with the women and children and a certain proportion
If their men folk and gu.Tien moved northv/ards to tneir sump.er habitats.
Cth them went Khosrow, younger brother of Nasir Qashgai, and some of
ju Khans. Of the latter Zaki Khan Darashurli and one or two others
Jailed on His Majesty's Consul and professed a desire to cooperate
dth the British Government, Nasir Qashgai remained in and about the
jjruzabad area, over which the Government exercised no control, but
Hid one or two visits to the ^ashquli country north-west of Shiraz
dire he had opportunities of meeting officials from the Anglo-Iraniun
nl Company as well as His Majesty's Vice-Consul, Bushire, on tour.
S In the autumn the peaceful return of the tribes to the
pmair was marred by a half hearted attempt on the part of the Persian
tfoops in the path of the migration to disarm some of the gunmen,
oil effort’ merely resulted in the loss of some sixty Government
Hfles and horses to the victorious tribesmen.
L’ Towards the end of the year K.hosrow Qashgai twice came in
frShiraz when he visited His Majesty's Consul and conveyed a message
(fern his brother that he was ready to submit provided he received
Ifoijiiate assurances from both the Persian and British authorities as
jfbia life and property. Steps were taken to convey guarded
Ijiurances, but at the end of the year Nasir and his brother remained
fried in their tribal haunts,
£ Early in the year the undermentioned influential Mamassani
Jld Boir Ahmedi leaders succeeded in decamping from Tehran where they
fid been previously detained, (l) Hussein }uli Khan Rustam son of Iman
■11 Khan (executed by the ex-Shah). (2) Abdullah Khan Zarghanirpur
ga of the late Shukrullah Khan Boir Ahmedi, and (3) Muhammad Hussein
urn, son of thelate Sartip Khan, Boir Ahmed. They were accompanied
& Sheikh Abdul Ma'Xtd, another Msmassani firebrand, strongly suspected
g.nefar/ious activities for the Axis. These tribal leaders have been
cause of much anxiety, but beyond refusing to allow the grain ana
Wduce from their districts to come into Kuzerun and Shiraz, do not
iar to have indulged actively in banditry.
Apart from certain elements engaging in highway robbery on
Shiraz-Isfahan road during the spring migration to their summer
ing grounds there has been little to complain of from the Khamseh
s. On the return move of the tribes in the autumn they were kept
in hand and caused no trouble. Amir Khan Baharlu, Head of the
fhirlu section, called on His Majesty's Consul late in the year and
pfessed to place his services at die disposal of the British if
Wired. The situation in the Darab-Pasa area remained quiet and
i« district accessible.
38 ACTIVITIES.
: Information derived from various sources pointed to the
finite presence with the Qashgai of a number of Germans - possibly
ye - who were being harboured by Nasir, not merely as refugees but
•gents, doubtless with plans for tribal risings to embarrass the
itieh forces in the event of an axis descent on Persia from the
fccasua.
The
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