Page 102 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

c
Disarmament of Tribes.—The collection of arms was continued but wilb no
= great success.
Smugglers are the real users of arms, but ns under a recent order a smuggler
or robber found in possession of arms can be shot at sight or if captured alive
executed few persons are ever caught with arms in hand. During the past three
years village and tribal headmen have been beaten and otherwise forced to report
or produce hidden arms—thus very.few arms arc left in the area.

SECTION 5.

Imperial Airways, Limited.—The original three years’ concession ended on
the 31st March, but was at the last moment extended for six months till the 1st
October 1932.
During these six months serious examination of the Arab coast was made
and by the end of September all was in readiness for the sendee to fly by Kuwait,
Bahrain, Shargah, and Gwadur (on Baluchistan side).
After the 25th September no Imperial Airways’ machine used the Persian
route.. The wireless and other equipment was evacuated and re-erected where
needed in the Arabian stations.
Dutch.—The K. L. M. service functioned throughout the year with clock­
work regularity.
After 1st October 1932 each machine required a special permit to land in
Persia, and considerable delays occurred in consequence.
Their organization, execution, and machines, were all excellent.
French.—The Air Orient (Paris-Saigon) flew fortnightly until March when
a weekly botli-ways service was started.
German.—On the 26th March the last Junkers’ plane left Bushire for Tehran.
From the beginning of the year the weekly service to|from Tehran had been of
real importance. The closing down of this service followed the refusal of the
Persian Government to make good their running losses in Persia at a time when
the parent Company (in Germany) got into financial difficulty.
This short-sighted action deprived Persia of an efficient and economic air
service, the like of which she will have difficulty in replacing.

SECTION 6.
Political Situation.
Bushire Hinterland.—The drought and famine terribly affected the nomadic
tribes which lost neaTly all their animals and also many men, women, ami
cliildren.
Grazing grounds in the Shiraz area were unable to receive them in addition
to the local tribes. Some 1,000 persons from Dashti, Dashtistan, Tangistan, and
Ilayat Baud came into Bushire, where they were assisted from funds raised from
the well-to-do merchants.
Asa relief work a coast road from Bushire to Lingah (Bushire-Chaghadak-
Chah Talk-Ziyarat-Lavar—and through Dashti) was started in June. In effect
a road was alligned and was traversed by motor car to beyond Lavar by August.
Funds were “ exhausted ” at the end of the year and the workers struck in con-
' sequence when the road had passed Kabgan.
The sons of Shaikh Ilassain of Chah Kutah who had rebelled against the
Persian'Government in 1931 were eventually arrested and sent to Tehran in
June. They had turned a lease-holder off property leased from the Revenue
] department.
With distressing -regularity each month showed attacks on motor vehicles
proceeding up and down the Bushire-Sliiraz road.
Some 15 Amniyeh road guards and passengers were killed and a number
•woulidcd during the year.
During the famine highwaymen candidly warned drivers of lorries that they
•should carry foodstuffs but no Amniyeh guards. They would then be tale
enough as the food would be removed and no other harm come to them.