Page 166 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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This suggestion would not be practicable unless the whole diving industry co
operated. Jn order to prevent the introduction of Japanese cultured peaadj
special legislation was enacted by the Bahrain Government in so far as it affect-
ed their subjects, and by His Majesty’s Government in so far as it affected
British subjects and foreigners who arc under the jurisdiction of the Political
Agent. Advantage was taken of this legislation to punish certain offenders
I Other .Rulers of the Arab Littoral were asked to co-operate in the matter which
ill view of the adverse effect that the introduction of cultured pearls would have
on the pearl trade, is a vital one for the large body of people whose livelihood
depends on the pearl industry.
Muscat.—No events of any great political importance took place in the
State during the year under review. The outstanding problem of Muscat was
that of finance. The Sultan assisted by his Financial Adviser—Captain Alban
who left in June, made praiseworthy and successful attempts to curtail expen­
diture and at the end of the year there was a small surplus in the Treasury.
Persian Side.
Apart from a few isolated cases of robbery with violence the Persian coastal
region as far as Bandar Abbas was quiet and security on the whole good.
Persian Mekran and Bashakard were the scene of disturbances and.spas­
modic fighting throughout the j^ear. In spite of occasional successes the Per­
sian troops were unable to overcome entirely several of the smaller tribal
Chiefs who continued to hold out in their mountain and desert strongholds.
The inhabitants of these regions were evidently harshly treated by the
Persian military forces as large numbers of tribesmen with their families went
over to Kalat, Gwadur, British Baluchistan and even the Arab Coast.
The Persian Navy occupied itself with its chief duty of preventing
smuggling by sea and made a number of captures of sailing craft alleged to be
engaged in that occupation. In several cases, however, the zeal of the Com­
manders appeared to have overcome their discretion and Arab vessels encoun­
tered on the High Seas were interfered with, some being taken to Persian
ports for investigation. Various of these cases are still under discussion with
the Persian Government.
Basidu.—H.M.S. “ Bideford ”, while paying a visit to British Basidu on
the 5th August 1933, found that the Union Jack was not flying. The Captain
landed an armed party and re-hoisted the flag. From local enquiries it appear­
ed that the Persian Warship “ Palang ” had put in to Basidu a few days pre­
viously with a party of officers who had hauled down the flag. The incident
was reported to His Majesty’s Minister at Tehran who took up the matter with
the Persian Government. After lengthy correspondence the Persian Government
expressed their regret at the incident.
While discussions were still proceeding a further occurrence took place at
Basidu. The Mudir of Customs of Persian Basidu. in spite of previous waru-
ings, had hoarded and examined dhows anchored off Basidu in what is claimed
to be British waters. The facts being reported to the Officer-in-Chargc of the
armed party in oceunation of British Basidu, he ordered his arrest and put him
on board H.M.S. “ Lupin ”, which was at the time visiting the place. The
Mudir was later conveyed to Bandar Abbas and released. This incident con­
tinued to be the subject of active correspondence between His Majesty’s Gov-
'erament and the Persian Government until the close of the year.
Relations with local Persian Officials.—Relations with the Governor of the
Southern Ports—Aqa Ali Asghar Khan Taliqani—and his successor Muhain-
mod Ali Mirza Rokni, who was in temporary charge of the office from October
to the end of the year, continued to be most cordial.
T. C. FOWLE, Licut.-Colonel,
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.