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There is no question I think but that the Sardar Arfa’s influence will be completely con-
solidated over this tract—ownitually slow methods aro surest and are preferred as loog as there
is no particular reason for precipitation.
IIow the Sheikh’s influonco stands in Nawiza I have not very precise information. The
fact that tho people of Ilawiza gave apparently no trouble when the Beni lVuf were being
dealt with, seems to show that tho Sheikh's authority is recognised.
Tho Boni Truf for the time being may bo regarded as to some extent under tho Sheikh's
influence.
Tho wandering tribes of Khasarij, Chunano, etc., who have always a safe refuge and
having nothing to lose can hardly bo subject to any one’s authority. But the Sheikh claims
to have some influence over thorn. IIo told me he had sent messages to them after the attack
on the Shut/inn that they were to understand that they o^uld not injure British interests
without incurring hio displeasure.
It was implied that this would be an effective threat. "With a diplomatist like tho
Sheikh, however, one has to look very deep for possible motives. Still it would be very
surprising to find him coming so near an admission of responsibility for the IChasarij actions
unless he had some real power or infiuenoe over them.
I feel little doubt that for any definilo object the Sheikh could at once make his authority
absolute in any part of the couulry oast of the Kerlcba and Ilawiza.
I find I havo omitted to state that the Bakhtiari road crosses tho Sheikh's limit of juris­
diction about 1 mile ou the Ahwaz side of Alwani, which is the half-way stage between Wais
and Joiu.
Also the Sheikh's border is said to approach Jerria which is not shown in the maps and I
have marked the approximate position of Jerria in the accompauyiug tracing of north-west of
Ahwaz.
The map is not to bo considered as more authoritative than my written statements.
The boundaries aro conjectural, aud tho geographical features aro traced from a map
(No. 7*2) which I havo found very inaccurate."
307. In Mt*. McDouall’s opinion flic Sardar Arfa’s jurisdiction on the
Kanin extends on both banks from .lie Shat-ol-Arah up to Bandi-i-Kir, on tho
west of tho Karun roughly up to the Turkish bordor, on tho east tho Baklitiaris
uuuiu to witliiu a few miles of the river and hold ltam Horuiuz. South of Ram
Hormuz his jurisdiction extends to tho border of tho province which outlie sea
extends to Shahbulshah.
With regard to the views of the Governor of Arabistan, Mr. McDouall is
of opinion that he would approve of tho Sardar Arfa safeguarding the Ahwaz-
Shcioilieh route. The Azam-cs-Sullanoh is on very friendly terms with the
Sardar Arfa, aud it has nearly always been tho policy of tho Governors to keep
on good terms with him (Mr. McDouall’s letter No. 1, dated 27th April 1901).
308. Lieutenant Douglas reports that the Sheikh’s authority extonds ou
tho left bank of tho river to about 12 miles north of Band-i-Kir, the country
immediately beyond this, as well as that between tho Ab-i-Garger and the Ab-i-
Sliuteit, being under the Deputy Governor of Skm-ter and that tho Sheikh also
exercises a shadowy authority over tho tribes on tho right bank of tho Karun,
and he has lately been trying, by transferring some of his own men to that side
of the river, to check their raiding propensities, hut his power over them seems
to be very small (Lieutouaut Douglas to Sir A. Hardinge, dated 11th November
1903.)
309. From those reports it would appear that the Sheikh’s jurisdiction on
the Upper Karun does not extend much beyond Band-i-Kir at tho confluence of
the Ab-i-Garger- and Ab-i-Shutcit, and it is precisely from Baud-i-Kir to
Sheleilioh that tho river is most exposed to attacks from marauding tribes.
310. Tho Sheikh’s aid on this portion of tho river could then bo socured only
on a quid pro quo bnsis. The cost of maintaining the guards is estimated by the
Sheikh at 3,000 tomans a month. But Sir A. llnrdingo thinks that 600 tomans
(£100) would bo as much as tlio Shoikh could reasonably ask for (Sir A.
Hardinge to Lord Lansdownc, dated l6t July 1901).
311. Sir A. Hnrdingoin a note, dated 21th June 1901, to Mushir-ed-Dowlah
urged on the Shah’s Government that it should allow no slackening of the