Page 107 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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299. Tho questions then that aviso arc those •
(i) Should we not insist on the Persian Government taking tho noces-
sary measures for tho protection of the Shushan on tho Upper
Karun ?
(ii) If the Persian Government bo found helpless to do so, can tho
Sheikh of Molmmmcrah (Sardar ArfaJ ho induced to take tho
necessary mcasuros permanently ?
(iii) How far does his jurisdiction extend, within which ho would bo
bound to afford protection to the British trade ?
(iv) For what consideration and on what conditions could he be induced
to take the protective measures in territory beyond his jurisdic­
tion. Who is to pay for his services, Persia or England ?
(v) Can wo onlist the services of tho Bakhtiaris for the purpose ?
300. We shall take these questions one by one, not in the order mentioned
above, but as they como easiest for solution.
(a) Can ice enlist the services of the Bakhtiaris for the purpose of pro­
tecting the Upper Karun ?
801. From a report Lieutenant Douglas (Military Attache, Teheran), dated
14th November 1903, it appears that the Bakhtiari Chiefs have of late years been
gradually extending their territory into the plain country at tho foot of the
hills. It is now about eight years since they bought Ram Hormuz, aud they
have since then acquired many Arab villages farther to tho north. They have
also been buying up more land on the left bank of the Ab-i-Diz, between
8hustcr and Dizful, and now own the whole of that tract of country with tho
exception of the villages in tho immediate vicinity of, and belonging to, those
towns. Some land on the opposite bank, in the neighbourhood of Susa, also
belongs to them. A force of about fifty of their sowars is maintained at Dizful
and Shuster for the protection of the roads, under a local Chief, named Amir
Kuli Khan. The strip of country on tho left bank of tho Ab-i-Diz for about
12 miles to the south of Dizful is well irrigated and very fertile, with many
gardens aud villages, and has none of the appearance of a district where lifo
and property are iusecure.
302. Lieutenant Douglas suggested that the Bakhtiaris could be formed
into a corps for protecting the road between Dizful and Shuster.
303. But their influence does not apparently extend considerably on the
Ab-i-Garger on which the Shushan plies. Lieutenant Lorimer states that
though the Bakhtiari have acquired some land at Maindab, still tbc affairs of
the Garger do not naturally fall within their sphere and that he secs no reasons
for favouring its extension in that direction, even were the Bakhtiari Khans
themselves favourably disposed to it (Lieutenant Lorimer’s No. 17, dated 21st
June 1904, to Resident in tho Gulf).
(b) Can Persia be expected to do the needful ?
304. In tho letter above quoted Lieuteuant Lorimer states that the only
way in which tho Persian Government could attend to tho safety of Ab-i-
Gargor would be by establishing a number of military posts along the banks of
the river. He does not believe, however, that tho Persian Government would
ever consent to give satisfactory guarantees for the scheme described by him.
305. In Lieutenant Lorimer’s opinion, therefore, it is to tbe Sheikh of
Mohammerah we should turn. The tribes and politics involved are entirely
Arab. Be is the only man who has any power to form a combination against
the Khasraj and to throw obstacles in the icay of their ever reaching the
Maindab (see Lieutenant Lorimer’s letter cited in paragraph 303 above.)
(c) To toliat extent then can we expect the Sardar Arfa to use his forces and
influence for the protection of the river (i) as a matter of obligation in territory
within his jurisdiction ; (ii) in consideration of compensation in money or other­
wise outside his jurisdiction ?
What is then the extent of his jurisdiction ?
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