Page 551 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947
P. 551

—3**


           papers and leaflets against the British Government, the
           material used being the familiar claims to Bahrai
           blaming the British for the high cost of lining,
           strike in the local cotton mills, which was probably
           fostered by them, gave the Tudeh their chance, ana
           the demands which wore put forward by Tudeh agitators
           who came from Shiraz specially for the purpose, were an
           mot. This enhoncod their reputation, and they lookea
           like being successful in upsetting the dock workers,
           when the agitators had to leave for Shiraz to assist
           in the strikes there. Meanwhile the inhabitants, espec­
           ially the tribal loaders realised that to remain idle
           would only result in complete domination by the xudeh
           party. Their revolt which is described below took place
           and that for the presentjhas meant the end of the Tudeh
           party in this consular area. The elections to the .Majlis,
           if they ever take place, which is considered dpubtful by
           the local inhabitants, will probably be fought without
           any Tudeh candidates. The revolt ended with the tribal
           party in complete control, and it was clear that it would
           be used to form the basis of a new political party in the
           area, This in fact did occur, but subsequently it was
           merged wk'reh, one might almost say submerged by - the
           party of the Prime minister. The year ended therefore
           with no Tudeh party , v/ith the Tribal party almost in­
           effective and showing signs of internal disagreement,
           and the Prime Minister’s party as the only one in the
           field.
           (b) TRIBAL.
                   In February the Chahkutahi family who had previously
           been distinguished for their anti-British record, and
           who had been expelled by “eza ohah to Azerbaijan, r-turned
           and'with the assistance of .iaser Khan /Cashgai, seized their
           land in the Balock-i-Bushkan from Rais Ghulam Razmi. At
           the time this caused much excitement, especially as the
           land had been leased to Ghulau Razni by the Persian Gov­
           ernment, but complete inactivity by the Persian Governr.ent,
           lack cf support by other tribal chiefs to Ghulam Razmi
           and finally the tribal revolt, have so occupied public
           attention that it is now unlikely that the Chafikutahis
           position will be disturbed.
                   In March, the dispute between Fathullah Khan
           Haiat Daudi and Mohammad Ali Liravi was settled amicably
           and the troops stationed in the area were eventually
           removed. No further signs of this quarrel have been
           apparent, and with Fathullah Khan in almost undisputed
           leadership of the coastal tribes, and very much preocc­
           upied with more important matters, it is unlikely to
           recur.
                  No other important events took place, until in
           June, when Hiait Daudi succeeded in forming the Tribal
           dnion in which most of the tribal leaders of the Consular
           Area became members. Apart from presenting and if necessary
           settling disputes between the members, the real object of
           the Union v/as to oppose the influence of the Tudeh party
           as well as to represent the tribes in matters of common
           interest in their dealings with the Persian Government.
           This success v/as followed up by Haiat Daudi, who went
           to Shiraz to negotiate agreements between the Tribal
           onion and the tribes of Fars, especially the Kashgais,
           and to persuade them, if possible to join the Jnion. At
           first he had little success, as the Kashgais were pre­
            occupied, and Qawam ul Hulk was in Tehran.        In
                                                                  /September
   546   547   548   549   550   551   552   553   554   555   556