Page 346 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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Apart from the mere well-to-do and educated classes these measures are
proving very irksome and difficult for the women and especially those of
middle age. The cost of European clothing also is almost prohibitive for
persons from the middle classes downwards.
The enforcement of these regulations in the winter, when the cost of
European dress is heavier, is believed to be due to the desire to secure
the change-over by next spring, when the visit of the Ghazi Ataturk is
expected.
The measures arc creating another class of discontented to join the
ulema, hitherto the only one to have been seriously affected by the turn
towards the West.
Another effort of Europeanisation was made on March 15th when
on the anniversary of the birthday of the Shah a carnival procession of
dressed lorries, with mast attendants, paraded through the town.
Orders were issued to the officials early in the year that they must treat
the public with politeness.
Instructions were also received from the capital that officials and others
must become familiarised with the air of the National Anthem so that they
should stand to attention whenever it is played.
Further efforts were made this year during the month of Muharrem
to abolish religious practices at that season. The public was informed
that a police premit was required for breast-beating in the open and the
“Ruzch khwan” were at first prohibited from reading and reciting prayers
in the streets. This order was subsequently relaxed to a certain extent in
the bazaars.
There were no incidents affecting foreigners but the attitude of the
officials towards them is unchanged. Every alien, the reason of whose
visit is not understood, is a potential danger to the State.
Security.—Public security was good during the year but a small
number of highway robberies took place in the remoter districts.
A brigand captured with arms was tried by court martial and executed
in March
5 T.ashani tribesmen wanted for brigandage were captured by the
Amnieh in May and handed over to the military authorities.
17 Khamseh tribesmen were brought into Shiraz in June by the mili­
tary. They are said to have been captured as an armed band operating
in the district about 100 miles East of Fasa.
In the town of Shiraz there were the usual number of burglaries. One
gang, most of the members of which were eventually arrested, specialised
in breaking into the houses of British Subjects, and succeeded in robbing
the Bank houses, Mr. R. J. Cross and from the house of Mr. Vice-Consul
Barnett in his absence. The effects stolen from Mr. Barnett led to their
arrest.
Officials.—H. E. Ali Akbar (Khan) Davar, Minister of Finance,
visited Shiraz in January and December. The tours appear to have been
undertaken for the exploration of fresh sources of revenue.
H. E. Ali Asghar (Khan) Hikmat, the Minister of Education visited
Shiraz in April.
H. E. Nizam-ud-din (Khan.) Hikmat, Minister of Posts and Telegraphs,
was at Shiraz in July.
H. E. Mohammed Ali (Khan) Furughi, Zuka-ul-Mulk, President of
the Council of Ministers, accompanied by H. E. Mahmud (Khan) Jam,
Minister of the Interior and by the heads of the departments of Agri­
culture and of Industry, was at Shiraz in October for the official opening-
of the government sugar factory at Marvdasht.
These visits are believed to show that the Shah is taking greater interest
in the welfare of the more distant provinces.