Page 91 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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road, Ahwaz will bo its real terminus. The oarliost reports of any oeourronces affecting tho
pafely of our traflio arc naturally brought here to Mevara. Lynoh'e Agent, who aUo acta J'or
tho Persian Transport Company.
Ahwaz will ncoessarily remain tho hoad-quartera of all British concerns, and it is unldu-ly
that any companies will post European Agents to any other p)a<*oa such ns Dizful. lunuy
case, tho head management will always be situated nt Ahwaz, which is in fact the port of
Arnbistan, Luristan, and the Bnkhtiari route.
281. He also proposes that native houses should ho rented as rest-houses in
Dizful, Shuster, Khurramabad and liamuz for the Vice-Consul’s temporary
residence during his tour.
232. As regards accommodation at Ahwaz, wo lost tho host house available,
the one belonging to the Hotz Company, as we hesitated too loug aud it has
been let the Belgian Customs authorities by the Agent, Haji Rais.
233. Lieutenant Lorimer has now his eye on a site suggested to him by
tho Sheikh of Mohammerah. It is a piece of ground belonging to the Persian
Government situated on tho north side of Nasiri on the Karun, between the
Government buildings aud the bouudary wall of a garden belonging to the
Muin-ut-Tujjar. Its surroundings, therefore, are satisfactory and secure. In
extent it is more than what would be required, perhaps 400' by 200', but it f
contains only a limited amount of ground which is fairly secure from flooding.
234. On this site it appears the Sheikh of Mohammerah has decided to
build a hot weather palace, leaving sufficient room for the Vice-Consulato
building (Lieutenant Lorimer’s letter to Major Cox, Iso. 48, dated 31st July
1001).
235. Major Cox communicated Lieutenant Lorimer’s proposals for con-
sideration, haying regard to tho difficulty of obtaining suitable temporary
quarters at Abwaz (No 275, dated 20th August 1901).
236. In his letter No. 312, dated 10th September 1904, Major Cox reported
that Lieutenant Lorimer had .succeeded in securing a house on au annual rental
of 252 tomans from Haji Mahomed Riza.
237. As to the location of the Consular Surgeon, Lieutenant, Lorimer is
in favour of Ahwaz being made his head-quarters, especially on account of tho
presence of a small European community there. lie, however, admits that the
Surgeon’s attention being privately to be divided between the Bakhtiari and
Lur tribc9, the situation of his head-quarters will not be of great significance
nor greatly affect his work.
238. As Lieutenant Williams was still at Kcrmanshah, and no opinion
had been expressed by either Major Cox or Sir A. Hardingc on the question, it
was decided only to toll Major Cox by telegram on 12th November 1901 :—
“ We presume thet the site proposed f<>r tho Vice-Consulato will be large enough to
allow, if, and when required, of construction of the Surgeon’s quarters.”
(vi) Attack on Lieutenant Lorimer and Colonel Douglas.
239. In closing this chapter, we might mention the unfortunate attack
made on 25th October by somo members of the Dirrakwaud tribe on Lieutenant
Lorimer and the Military Attach6, Colonol Douglas, while on their way from
Khurramabad to Dizful. They were both wounded and their baggage plunder­
ed by tho men. The two officers found their way with some difficulty to
Burujird, where they were placed under tho treatment of Lieutenant Williams,
Indian Medical Service, then Acting Consul at Kermanshah, and Doctor Eunk
of the American Mission.
240. The questions as to the punishment to be dealt to tho offending tribe
and of compensation to the officers have been under discussion, the details of
which need not ‘be mentioned in this Prdcis. On default of the Persian
Government to do their duty, the British Government might be compelled to
undertake the necessary punitive expedition themselves or take the requisite
measures themselves for the security of the routes in Luristan.
241. As it would take some time before Lieutenant Lorimer could recover
completely to re-enter on his dutios, it was apprehended that there would occur
an unfortunate interruption in the measures he had undertaken to establish
friendly relations with the Lur tribes and in opening up the Dizful 'Khurrama­
bad route (as to which see the next chapter).

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