Page 14 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

4 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

II«—ArtblsUn. For many years past His Majesty’s Foreign Office have entertained a
Vioe-Consulate at Mohammerah, but his duties having confined him chiefly to
the precinots of the Sheikh’s head-quarters, our growing interests in Arabistan
led to the creation in March 1904 of a
Cmtioa of » Vko-Coo«ulftto.
socond Consular appointment in that
province filled by the Government of India. It was decided that while the
officer at Mohammerah, now raised to Consular rank, should continue to be
responsible for the Commercial work of the tract, the newly-appointed Vice-
Consul’s instructions were to devote himself chiefly to travel; to the cultiva­
tion of intimate relations with the
Dutw* of tbo Vi co-Co cm].
Bakhtyaris and othor Lur tribes, and to
the promotion of British enterprise in Arabistan, of whioh the main artery is
the Karun River and its present radiating base, Ahwaz.
The officer whose report is under review, Captain D. L. R. Lorimer, is
the first incumbent. It will bo seen from the accompanying sketoh map
showing approximate territorial boundaries, that the field covered by his
tonring commission is a very extensive one, and offers a wide horizon to the
energies of a young and strenuous officer.
At present the Vice-Consul is very unpretentiously, not to say incon­
veniently, accommodated in a Persian
Book accommodation.
house which has been temporarily altered
for his use, but negotiations have for some time been in progress for the
erection of a new set of Consulate buildings, and now that the chief obstacles
to the conclusion of an agreement with Sheikh Khazal have been removed, it
is hoped that the dwellings will soon begin to assume concrete shape.
The chief items in the year’s history have been the rebellion of the Beni
Truf Arabs occupying part of the
Beai Truf BcbellioU- Hawaiza district near the Turkish border
against tue Sheikh of Mohammorah.
The Bakhtyari country was a good deal disturbed throughout the year by
family discord among the Khans follow­
Bakhtjari dicscasions.
ing on the death in February 1905 of the
Bkhani, Sardar Mufakkham. These dissensions enhanced the already existing
difficulties in connection with the upkeep of the Lynch Road, and the incep­
tion of the operations of the D’Aicy Oil Concession Syndicate.
I need do no more than allude to these two subjects, which arc fully dealt
with in Captain Lorimer’s Report.
I may mention, however, that Major W. R. Morton, R.E., who, as before
mentioned, was on special duty in
M»icr Morton’* work.
Arabistan throughout the year in connec­
tion with the Korun Irrigation Scheme, and acted as Vice-Consul for the hot
weather of 1905 during Captain Lorimer’s absence on leave, in August made
a tour up the Lynch Road, furnishing a report on its condition on his return.
It is evident from the terms of it that the primary desideratum is the
maintenance of a permanent working party on the road.
No progress was possible in connection with the opening of the Lizfal-
Kborremabad trade route, but satisfac­
Dufol'Kborremftbftd Cara ran Route.
tory relations were inaugurated with the
Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh, who evinces an evident desire to come into closer touch
with the British Authorities and to assist in promoting British enterprise.