Page 122 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

12 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

still a much heavier charge on goods carried by Bteamers to Shuster and then
to Dizful, as compared with that levied on goods sent by caravan, and until tW
disparity is reduced by lowering and amalgamating the various local char *
it is not to be expected that the river route, in spite of its greater 8Pc©d and
security, will receive any great development

The question of accommodation for Messrs. Lynch at Ahwaz, referred to ia
last year’s report, is still undecided, but has now reached a point at which a
speedy settlement may be hoped for*
The influx of arms into Arabistan still continues, and about a thousand
Martini Henry rifles were imported at Bunder Mashur by native merchants
from Kowait.
In March last the Resident and First Assistant proceeded on tour up the
Karun and Garghar rivers as far as Shuster. From Bund-i-Kir they ascended
the Diz in the 8.S. Shushan in order to ascertain whether this, the third of the
three rivers meeting at Bund-i-Kir, was navigable for purposes of direct trade
with Dizful. The S3.S. Shushan arrived within sight of Kut Abd-us-Shah, which
is 24 miles from Dizful, and this is the furthest point to which the river has
been navigated. There had recently been a high rise, but the rapidity with
which the water fell on the numerous shallows found in the higher reaches
compelled the speedy return of the S.S. Shuskan and would effectually prevent
any use being made of the Upper Diz as a trade waterway.

9.-FARS and PERSIAN COAST.
The Nizam-us-Sultaneh continued as Governor of Bushire nntil early in
September last, when lie was succeeded by his nephew Reza Kuli Khan as
Deputy Governor for the remainder of the year.
This year he has been appointed Governor-General of Fars in place of His
Royal Highness the Rukn-ud-Dowlah.
The Saad-ul-Mulk has been again appointed Governor of Bushire.
Haji Nasrullah-Khan, in spite of some opposition in the tribe, continued
as Il-Khani of the Kashkai.
His Royal Highness the Rukn-ud-Dowlah commenced his rule by dealing
severely with the Kawam-ul-Mulk, a powerful but unpopular Shiraz noble,
who is the chief landed proprietor in the province and virtually , controls the
Arab tribes. The Kawam-ul-Mulk shortly afterwards proceeded to Tehran
whence he was directed to retire to Meshed*
The revenue collections are believed to be largely in arrears, while the
state of the districts has been most unsettled; robberies and murders by
the Arab nomad tribes being frequent. One of these tribes, the Baharloo,
aggrieved at their treatment by the Governor of Darab, went into outlawry in
October last. Troops were sent against them from Shiraz under the Il-Khani,
and they moved with their families towards Bander Abbas, closing the trade
routes, plundering caravans, and spreading the greatest alarm by their depreda*
tion almost up to Bander Abbas.
H.M.8. Cossack was ordered from Bombay for the protection of British
subjects at Bander Abbas, where she remained until all danger of an attack
was over.
Persian troops were sent from Bushire and other coast ports in the S.S.
Persepolis, and the PrinccGcvernor of Kirman was ordered to intercept the rebels
from the north. The Arabs retreated and no fighting took place. The troops
have now returned and traffic on the caravan route has been resumed. ^ 18