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PAET IV.
which ho had adopted to compel the Chief of Polahcca to give up tho robbers
who plundered the Cashmere were approved.
110. With his letter to Earl Granville, dated ISth September 1872, Mr.
Thomson, Chary6 d'affaires at Teheran, sent on a copy of a telegraphic corres­
pondence which had ensued between himself and Colonel Herbert on the subject
of tho robbers in hiding at Eelahoea. Colonel Herbert stated that no action had
been taken in obedience to tho Sadr Azem’s ordors, that Jaher had not force to act
alono; that Prince Anoushinvan was without influence or power, and he request­
ed that Mr. Thomson would obtain tho issue of definite orders in tho matter to
Princo llamza Mirza, Governor-General of Persian Arabia. And four days
after [9lh September] lie said that Sheikh Lufti, tho Felalicca Chief, bad goue to
Princo Hamza Alirza, and he feared that the Chief might win the Prince over.
111. To this Mr. Thomson repliod that the Persian Government had made
arrangements for the immediate departure of a special Mohissil to the Princo
Governor at Khorciuabad, and that tho Mohissil before roturning to Teheran
was to sco that tho pirates then at Eelahcoa (two in number) were secured with
the plundered property and handed over to the Turkish authorities.
112. Colonel Herbert’s letter Ho. 44 of the 25th of September showed
that his fear that Sheikh Lufti would bribe Prince Hamza Mirza was only too
well founded, for on the 19lli of September Mr. Itobertson, the British Agent at
Basrah, reported that the Chief bad returned from his visit to the Prince, who
had presented him with a belt, and that he (the Chief) was taking no steps to
surrender the robbers.
113. Colonel Herbert lost no timo in communicating this fact to Mr.
Thomson, with an expression of his hope that the Persian authorities would not
bo allowed to trifle with British interests.
114. And immediately afterwards, in consequence of information which ho
had received, lie telegraphed to Mr. Thomson :—
“ Vice-Consul, Basrah, states it is commonly reported, though proof probably impossible
that Sheikh Lufti in his lute visit to Khoremabad took 25,000 krans to present to Prince
Governor. I deem it expedient to bring this to Your Excellency's notice, as it would account
for belt given. Consul adds, he bears on 10th instant pirates at Felahrca under surveillance."
116. All experience of the proceedings of the Persian authorities led Coloucl
Herbert to believe that it was only natural that Sheikh Lufti should bribe
Prince Hamza Mirza, and that it would be reported by the latter that none of
the robbers or plunder were, or had been, at Polaheca, though their presence
there could not he doubled.
116. On this point Colonel Herbert wrote thus :—
u It will be very much to be regretted, and a blow to our reputation in this country, if we
fail to obtain the surrender of these criminals and their plunder."
117. The letter from Mr. Thomson to Earl Granville, No. 70, dated 14th
October 1872, forwarded a copy of Colonel Herbert’s representations in the matter
of the suspected bribery, and it further showed that Colonel Herbert suggested
that a competent Gbolam should bo attachod to tho Mohessil with orders
to communicate with tho Vice-Consul at Basrah. To this Mr. Thomson replied
that instructions bad been issued by himself aud tho Sadr Azem to the Princo
Hamza Mirza, and that he did not think it would he advisable to send a
Gholam, as the Persian authorities might consider themselvos to some extent
released from responsibility in the matter wero an Agent from the Mission
employed. Colonel Herbert concurred in tho opinion, and as ho was about
to leave Baghdad he asked Mr. Thomson to place himself in communication
with Mr. Boberfsou. Shortly afterwards Mr. Thomson sent the following
message to the Ageut at Basrah :—
*' llaji Hashem Khan, tho Mohessil sent from Teheran to sccuro the apprehension of
pirates, ought shortly to reach Pelnheca. Pray eommuuicate with him, and inform inn by
tebgraph if any further ordcrj are required to enable Lira to discharge the duty v/ilh which
he is entrusted.