Page 258 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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CHAPTER III.

Summary of Events and Conditions in Fars during THE year 1034.
Situation.'- Tlio Situation lias remained undisturbed and progress him
continued in the pacification and development of the Province.
Tribal.—With the exception of n few isolated cases of “ brigandage ” bv
tribesmen m the more remote districts, no further difficulties were experienced
after the surrender and removal to the capital of Ali Khan Qaslmai An
example was given to the tribesmen by executions in Shiraz of a few “ robber > *
leaders and in Tehran, this winter, of some of the minor unruly leaders mainlv
from the Mamassoni. ’ J
The disciplinary administration imposed upon the tribes by the military
governors appointed by the G. O. C. Fars Brigade, with the extension of the
Amnieh stations and blockhouses and the lack of ambition and of local influence
of the young hereditary chieftains, who are also under constant supervision
have contributed to the policy of the breaking-up of the tribes as a unit.
The tribal system has been further attacked by the law enacted for the
forthcoming elections to the Majliss. Under this the special ballot boxes
hitherto issued for the tribal vote are done away with and votes are to be
recorded at prescribed centres, together with those of the settled inhabitants.
It is stated that Government intends, within the next two years, to
complete the permanent settlement of the tribes in defined areas and to abolish
the annual migrations. An official was at Shiraz during the year to prepare a
report on the subject for the Shah. The principal difficulty will lie in the alloca­
tion of suitable watering and grazing grounds.
The new town of Tal-i-Khosrau, 40 miles to the JNT. E. of Ardekan, has risen
os part of this policy.
Security.—Public security was good, reports of attacks upQn lorries on or
near the main roads having mostly proved exaggerated. There were a small
number of highway robberies in distant districts, in one of which the Director
of the Roads Department was robbed of Rials 30,000.
Governorate General.—H. E. Mirza Majid Khan Aliy, who took over the
duties of Governor General in September 1933, has shown himself a capable
and conciliatory official and has continued to be helpful to Ilis Majesty’s
Consul.
Attitude to Foreigners.—The instructions of the central authorities pro­
hibiting all officials, with the exception of the Chief of Police, from having any
relations with foreign representatives, were rigidly observed. The prohibition
lias been extended to leading notables, merchants and others, some of those
who appeared at the Consulate on their business being subsequently called
upon by the police to explain their visit. The officials are suffering from spy
mania.
National sensibility, perhaps intolerance, cultivated by the press of the
capital at certain seasons, finds a rich ground in Fars, where British officials
have commanded considerable local influence, whilst it is difficult for the
present generation to forget the formation and maintenance here of the
South Persia,Rifles.
These conditions have led to the otherwise inexplicable treatment of Mr.
Christopher Sykes, who arrived at Shiraz in February on a tour of the Pro­
vince. He was not only refused permission to visit Firuzabad but requested
not to leave the town, being eventually permitted to proceed to Bushirc upon
the condition that he then quitted the country. The order was subsequently
rescinded on official intervention.
The Dominican Fathers, the Reverend Dominic Blcncowe, O. P. and the
Reverend Cyprian Rice O. P., who arrived at Shiraz in 1933 with the object
of founding a Dominican Monastery, also come under the ban, owing to tneir
British nationality and to the fact that Father Rice had been a ^mbcr of
H M Consular Service. The authorities convinced themselves that I n.1, cr
Rice had served as a subaltern in the South Persia Rifles. These condition ,
coupled with [ha (liability of the authorities to understand the work ot tl

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