Page 214 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

3Q 'ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL
RESIDENCY
Sheikh Rahvna’s regime was not at all a success, and he failed to «mvo
satisfaction to the people of the town, to Shekh Khaza'l, or to this Vice-
Consulate.
Tho relations hot.wecn Sheikh Hnnzal and tbo Vico-Consulato since his
return to office have been very satisfactory.
7. The perennial question of the Beni Turuf did not fail to arise. It is
stated that, this year the trouble was not ns usual due to the unwillingness of
tho Beni Turuf to pay revenue to Sheikh Khaza’l, hut to the latter' havin'*
placed the control of certain irrigation rights in the hands of a certain indivi-
dual, which did not meet with approval of llaji Sablian and others.
A largo force, variously over-estimated, was collected, and left from
MuzntTariya under tho leadership of Sl.cikh Ilanzal on the 10th of June. The
official Chiefs, Ali Mnaishid and Zahar Ali, remained loyal and the operations
woro directed against Haji Sab ban.
Abortive negotiations wero followed by fighting in which Sheikh TTanzal
is said to have lost an aggregate of 150 men and the Beni Turuf twice that
number. The Beni Turuf resistance was entirely broken down and tho Sheikh’s
forces entered Ilawiza with Hying colours.
Sablian took refuge in the first place with tho Khasrij, the latter, however,
seeing nothing to be gained eventually refused him a permanent a\ylum and
he then made his way over into Turkish territory where lie lias since remained.
Ali Mnaishid and Zahar Ali were confirmed in their headship of the
tribe.
Sheikh Hanzal returned to Nasiri on the 11th July, and Sheikh Khaza’l
went down to Muhammerah on the 12th.
S. Save for this campaign the province has enjoyed peace throughout tho
year. A minor fracas only occurred in the beginning of December at'
Raghaiwa, and it was at first anticipated that the Kaghaiwa question miglif
arise between the Sheikh and the Bnkhtiari Khans in an acute form. It
proved, however, that tho disturbance had meroly occurred between certain
Arabs under the Sheikh’s jurisdiction and others under Chat of the Khans, and
the matter was arranged diplomatically on the spot by Agents deputed by tho
Khans and the Sheikh.
9. This result was facilitated by a growing desire on the part of both tho
Sheikh and the majority of tho Khans to sot their mutual relations on a more
friendly and a more secure footing. Some degree of cordiality tempered by
misunderstandings has existed fora considerable time between the Sheiku and
the family of tho late Hussain Quli Khan, Ilkbani, always excluding the
Samsam-us-Sultanah, but it was not till the spring of 1907 that tho Shalmb-us-
Sultanah representing the rival family, under the pressure of domestic difficul­
ties evinced any desire to establish an entente with the Sheikh. From whom­
ever the initiative may havo come, a friendly understanding was quickly
established.
The subsequent speedy collapse of the Shaliab and the restoration to
power of the Sainsam, the sworn enemy of the Sheikh, somewhat complicated the
situation for the la tier, hut after the test of time it would appear that the
Sheikh has been able to maintain his understanding with the Sliahah without
prejudicing his relations with the other family, again always excepting the
Samsam, and that, consequently a distinct advanoe in policy has been mode.
The value of these understandings should not bo over-estimated, but they havo
the effect, of facilitating: the amicable discussion of difficulties when, as often,
neither party is in reality anxious to push matters to extremes.
Since July the nominal concord, which has subsisted between the two
parties of the Khans, has been to the advantage of tho Sheikh, or of any one
else who has had to deal with them.
The Sheikh drew one immediate advantage from the understanding with
the Slinliab in being able to indent on him for Deputy Governors for Shush ter
and Dizful when lie took over tho administration of Northern Arabi?tan from
the Sardar Mukarram.