Page 154 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

2 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

Botno narrow escapes, ac tho Residency and tlio servants* quarters woro struck
by bullets. One of tho horses belonging to the Resident’s escort was killed.
Strong protests were at onco made, and tlio Darya Bcgi, who had reported to
his Government that tho outrago was committed by certain members of tho
Tangistani tribe instigated by a merchant of Bush ire known as tho Nazcm-ut-
Tuinr and a notorious intriguer, was ordered to load an expedition against tho
Tangisfanis. ITaving collected a large forco from among tho warlike tribes in
the vicinity of Bushiro, the Darya Bogi set out against T.mgistan. Tho greater
portion of tho tribe appears to have submitted to him without delay, but ho
experienced a certain amount of opposition from some of tho sections of tho
tribe who wore notorious for their bad conduct. This opposition was overcome
without much difficulty, and having pillagod and laid waste the couutry, His
Excellency returned to Bushire. Two or threo of the Tangista ’s were killed,
but most of those who were “ wauted** on account of their complicity in tho
attack on tho Residoncy and other crimes mauagod to effect their escape into
the neighbouring hills, where a secure refuge may always be had. There is
no doubt that tho tribe has received a severe lesson, in proof of which may ho
noted the fact that the road through tho Tangisfau district, which had been
closed to caravans for some time past owing to the lawlessness of the tribe*
has now become safe.
How long this more tranquil condition of affairs will last, it is difficult to
say. "With a weak Governor of Bushire (the tribesmen now have a wholesome
dread of the Darya Begi), trouble is at any time possible. Thanks to the efforts
of certain merchants of Bushire, who have imported arms of recent years in
such large quantities, the tribesmen in the vicinity are all well armed and are
quite capable of mischief, should a suitable occasion offer. I can bear personal
testimony to the extent to which tho population of this part of Persia has
become armed with breech-loading rifles of recent years. Ten years ago,
a Martini-Henry rifle was rarely seen. Now, even in the town of Bushire itself
armed men are constantly seen, and in the adjacent villages there can hardly
be a man who docs not possess a Martini-llcnry rifle.
Public Health.—The past year has been a healthy one in Bushire. The
summer, though long, was comparatively mild, and no epidemic or contagious
disease occurred during the year.
Telegraphic information was received about the middle of April that
plague bad broken out in the Ardelan province, north of Kermanshah, near the
Turkish frontier, and caused some 200 deaths. The Turks, therefore, imposed
quarantine on arrivals from Persia.
Small-pox of a severe type appeared at Shnrgah in the first week of April,
causing, it was reported, about 500 deaths. Early in May reports were
received from Bandar Abbas that on abnormal death-rate prevailed on the
island of Kishm, and the Assistant Surgeon on duty at Bandar. Abbas, ia
connection with the plague preventive operations, visited the island and
reported the outbreak of plague. The disease, however, soon, disappeared.
The Residency Surgeon visited the island early in June to supervise the opera­
tions undertaken to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Residency Surgeon was in charge of the sanitary arrangements in tno
Persian Gulf throughout the year, but the financial control, which had hitherto
been in the hands of the local Persian authorities, was transferred to the-
Belgian Director-General of Customs in Southern Persia. This arrangement
has proved satisfactory, as arrears of payments due in connection with the
expenditure on plague preventive operations have been paid up* and there is
no longer any difficulty in obtaining payment on account of current expenses*
The buildings on the quarantine island have been put in good order, an
furniture provided for the house set apart for first and second cliss passengers.
The fees recovered from passengers have been raised, and now amount to Its.
for first-class, Rs. 4 for second-class, and Rs. & for third-class passengers.
Currency.—No appreciable improvement has taken place in tho curre.°®£
The “ Bi jocks, ” however, referred to in the last year’s report, have been onu y
suppressed, and the new kran coinage is more available than Ilorc*L n£
A supply of new nickel coins, minted in Belgium* has been imported to aug
the current copper coinage.