Page 179 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1893-91 9

The final result of these events has been the replacement of Shaikh Ja6im
as nominal Kaira-Makam by a Turkish official. With regard to the garrison
at El-Bidna, Shaikh Jasim has objected that it has been maintained at a
strength largely in excess of what had been promised.

7.—PERSIAN ARAB!8TAN.
Ilia Royal Highness the Hisam-us-Sultaneli remained throughout the
year as Governor-General of Arabistan, and was re-appointed in February last
for a further period of one year, His administration lias been, on the whole,
successful, and the country haB enjoyed comparative tranquillity owing to his
tact and moderation in the treatment of the tribes. Timely concessions to the
wishes of the tribes of the district averted hostilities in the early part of the
year. The principal Cbaab tribes had deposed Shaikh Abdullah Khan, Governor
of Falahieb, and appointed Shaikh Jafir Khan in his place ; but the Muez-us-
Sultanch, Governor of Moliammerah, who is not well disposed towards them,
tried to support the deposed Governor; and the Prince Governor, who was un-
aware of- the tribal feeling, re-appointed him. In the face, however, of the
hostile attitude of the tribes, His Royal Highness cancelled the appointment;
and in January last, when he visited Alohammerah, confirmed Shaikh Jafir
in the appointment.
The crops between Ahwaz and Shuster, and on the Lower Karun, were good,
but the export of grain was prohibited.
There were several outbreaks of epidemic disease: cholera, small-pox, and
remittent fever prevailed at Moliammerah and on the Upper Karun between
June and October 1893, and considerable mortality attended them.
Quarantine was maintained at Z^Iohammerah against arrivals from Busrah
and other places in Turkish territory during the months of June and July
1*593.
Early in 1S92 the Turkish authorities at Busrah had proposed to estab­
lish a quarantine station at Fao, to prevent the evasion by travellers for Busrah
of quarantine fees by landing at Holiammerah and proceeding by land or
river. The proposal was opposed by the British and Russian Delegates on the
Board of Health at Constantinople, and the question was finally suspended until
the assembling of the Commission for the revision of the Sanitary tariff.
Since October 1S93 the Turkish Customs authorities at Eao have con­
stantly stopped native craft bound for, or sailing from, Alobammerah, claiming
duty on their cargoes at the same rate to which goods imported into, or exported
from, Turkey are liable. Among the victims of these exactions, which are
contrary to the second article of the Treaty of Erzcroum of 1847, were two
British Indian boats which were bound for Mohammerah, and which paid the
duty under protest. The whole question has been made the subject of re­
ference, but the Turkish authorities still refuse to recognise the anchorage off
Mohammerah as under Persian jurisdiction. The question does not appear to
have received at Tehran the attention that might have been expected, possibly
because the Turkish Customs authorities at Fao have not, apparently, enforced
their demands in a regular or systematic manner upon all boats, but upon suoh
only as have submitted to tlieir exactions.
In May 1893 the Naseri Company publicly announced that they had
opened the river Diz to traffic and had placed their steamer Suza on it. The
Suza, however, made only one trip to Kut Bunder, a place about ten hours’
distance from Dizful by caravan. On the return voyage the vessel was nearly
wrecked, and bad to leave behind a barge which she bad taken in tow.

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