Page 108 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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30G. Oil tho question of tlio Sheikh’s jurisdiction Lieutenant Lorimor’s
report (letter No. Gl, dated 20th August 190J>) might bo read and is quoted. at
length below:—
“The Shoikh of Mohammorah’s sphere of practical jurisdiction ; 2 of his predominant
influence j so far as I have been able to ascertain them.
It is necessary to preface the following notes by stating that tho actual facts aro very
obscure and difficult to ascertain with any degree of precision.
Such a thing as au oxact boundary is unknown unless occasionally tho courso of a river
sorves the purposes.
Saving these there nro scarcely any definite fixed points to servo as landmarks, and in
any caso political boundaries or rather those of influence are liable to constant alteration.
I shall confino my remarks for tho present to tho north and west borders of Arabistan.
Starting at Ram Ilormuz on tho north-cast wo find oursclvos within tho Bakliliaris' juris­
diction.
Proceeding westwards towards Ahwaz through tho village of Mir Bacha, tho Sheikh of
Mohammerah’s border is struck, somewhere on the Gupal (or ICupil) stream. It is hero prob­
ably runniug north-north-west and south-south-east. Following this line which marks tho
northern limit of his jurisdiction, we reach a point Ilussania, which is either on or near the
Gerger. It then appears to follow down the left bank of the Gcrg**r, which it strikes across
to includo Band-i-Kir. The Shuteit or Karun is then crossed immediately below the point
where the Diz joins tho Karun (this is exactly opposite the embouchure of the Gerger and not
a mile up us shown in the map).
From this point it appears to proceed southwards parallel to the west bank of the Karun
and at no great distance from it, but exactly how far 1 am unable to learn.
This line terminates, I should think, in Failia on the Slut-el-Arab.
So much for the line of jurisdiction, defining jurisdiction as the right of collecting revenue
for oneself and of administering thccountiy, with tile responsibilities attaching thereto,
without reference to any oilier authority.
This leaves us with the nominal jurisdiction of the Persian Governor of Arabistan. This
includes almost the whole of the Miandab ; Shushter; Dizful and the country south
between the Ab-i-Diz and the Karun and Shuteit; tho country between the Ab-i-Diz and
Kerkha from Dizful or Shush (I am not sure of the boundary bctweou the Arabistau and
Luristan Governorship?) down to the Sheikh's limit, a little to tho west of the Karun.
The Jerria (Saidali), Beni Truf, and Ilawizek districts, in fact all tho land, west from the
Sheikh's boundary described, to the Turko-Persian frontier.
The effective jurbdiction of the Persian Governor does not however extend beyond tho
immediate enviions of Shuster and Dizful.
I question whether there is any direct communication between the Governor and any
of the Arab tribes from Sheikh Ferhau Asad's westwards and southwards.
The Sheikh of Mobammcrah appears to be always called in as a medium or perhaps rather
as an Agent.
It appears to be quite certain that the Sheikh collects the revenue of Ilawizeh on behalf of
the Persiau Govcrumeut and with its nominal aid or support.
As regards tho tribes to the east of tho Ab-i-Diz and between the Diz and tho Kerkba, of
which the most prominent are those of Ferhau Asid, Haidar and Ali Gliafil there is not the
same degree of certainty. It is said that tliov pay their revenue dirpot. to the Governor, and
agaia on the other side it is said that the Sheikh has been entrusted with the collection of tho
revenue from tho second tract mentioned.
To examine more precisely the question of influence—
It is safe, I think, to say that except that of the Sardar Arfa no external influence is felt
over the tract from the Diz and Karun to the Turkish border south of a line drawu east and
west through Sus i. Perhaps in the north-west corner an exception should be made iu favour
of tho Wall of Pu6t-i-Kuh.
In this sense the Sardar Arfa's influence may be said to be predominant throughout, hut
there is no question that it varies vory much in effectiveness in different districts.
To the east of the Diz, Ferlian has cast in his lot with the Sheikh's ambitions and in return
for support has apparently submitted to become bis obedient servant. He is used by th"
Sardar Arfa as an instrument through whom ho may weaken Sheikh Haider, who will not
admit his authority.