Page 131 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1000 1007. 27
formally recognised by the Central Government. For somo months Khanjan’s
services with 30 or 40 of his sowars were secured by the Shaikh or Muhammerah
for Shaikh llanzal, when the latter was deputed to Belibahan. Later his place
there was taken by his brother Hussain Khan.
Khanjan complains that he is not paid as regularly as he might be, but con­
siders the position gained compensates for the lack of remuneration, so long as his
means of livelihood do not entirely give out.
18. In July one of the servants of the French Scientific Mission was murdered
in Dizful during the absence of his masters in France. The case was subsequently
dealt with by the Sardar Mukarram and it is believed that the supposed culprit
was executed.
19. No representatives have been elected to represent this province (nor any
of the other provinces dealt with in this report) in the Majlis i Shura i Milli.
The only place where the matter has come up for debate, as far as reports go,
is Dizful. After vainly aspiring after the services of the Muin ut Tujjar, another
selection was put forward, but the only result arrived at was a split among the few
chief people of the town who had constituted themselves the Electorate, one party
bringing a charge of nepotism against the other.
20. Dizful.—Turning to the purely internal affairs of Dizful town. The
religious authorities while keeping on friendly terms with the Governor, still occupy
a predominant position in the regulation of Municipal affairs.
The chief leader Shaikh Muhammad Hussain, Hujjat ul Islam, Mujtahid, and
his son Shaikh Muhammad Baqir, have maintained unbroken cordial relations,
and occasional friendly correspondence, with the Vice-Consul. A meeting took
place in April 1906.
21. The long drawn out struggle between the representatives of the populace,
and the authorities, over the question of the remission of the taxation on the Indigo
works, was not brought to a final termination. On reference being made to it
orders were issued by the Central Government that the remission might be made,
but that it must be balanced by an increase under other heads of Revenue. The
town people are endeavouring to evade determining how this should be effected, a
question left by the Sardar for them to settle.
22. Shushter.—The Sardar Mukarram’s authority in Shush ter was undis­
puted throughout the year. Shaikh Muitaza of the House of Shaikh Muhammad Ali
who, under the pressure of the hostility of the Sardar and the rival house of Said
Abdus Samad, had left for Ispahan and the north reached Tehran and took up
residence in “Bast” at the Legation. After enquiries from the Vice-Consul the
Legation took an active interest in his affairs. The support of the authorities of
the Central Government was obtained, but no practical effect was given by the
Sardar Mukarram to orders directing him to restore their property and position to
the Shaikh’s family. Shaikh Murtaza eventually came down to Najaf and thence
to Muhammerah where he met the Sardar and Shaikh Khazal. Promises were
made and the good offices of the Shaikh brought into play, and it was arranged
that Shaikh Murtaza was to return to Shushter in company with the Sardar.
Matters stood at this point at the close of the period under consideration.
Shaikh Murtaza called on the Vice-Consul at Nosiri and expressed gratitude
for the services rendered him by the Legation, which are a matter of public know­
ledge.
The Vice-Consul met Shaikh Murtaza’s brother, Shaikh Jawad, at Shushter
in May, but no regular relations have been maintained with him. He is a feeble
creature.
Endeavours to arrive at an understanding with the family of Saiyad Abdus
Samad regarding the payment and return of visits having failed, no further communi­
cations have passed. There is nothing to be gained by regular intercourse with them
aa they will only servo our interests in view of some 'immediate advantage accruing
to themselves. This prospect put.beforo them in the form of a money gift by the
Oil Syndicate produced an alteration in their previous attitude and brought about
the conclusion of a satisfactory agreement with regard to tho purchase of certain
oil rights at Musjid Sulaiman.
a 2.