Page 216 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

32 'ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF TIIE PERSIAN GULF
POLITICAL RESIDENCY

Simultaneously measures wore taken to prevent, the brokers who are cmnloveH

All
tins necurrnd without anv notice being given to Messrs. Lyneh Brothers or to
tins \ ice-Consulate, and Sheikh Lianzal when questioned as to the measures he
u as taking under tho Sheikh’s instructions was unable to quoto any order
officially, hut he did privately show a lottor on the subject lrom Sheikh Khaza’l
which fully covered him. ‘ *
In Avabistan unfortunately, ns in Mesopotamia, it is impossible to buy
produce from the Arabs without making large cash advances.
Lynch having their advances lo the Arabs or well as to transport Agents
imperilled, were forced to bring the Sheikh’s action into question. Reference
Mas accordingly made to him by this Vice-Consulate, and a lengthy and evasive
answer was received, representing that tho Arabs had become alarmed and
themselves urged that this prohibition should be introduced and that the Sheikh
if he had done anything, had merely tacitly acquiesced in the unanimous desire
of tho people, which was of courso untrue, also that restrictions wore merely a
matter of domestic economy, and had no kinship with formal embargoes
imposed by the Central Government. Further *he proposal Mas put forward
that the exporters should resume their business under written engagements
that they would in case of necessity re-import a similar quantity of grain to
that which they should export., and place it on the market at the same price
as that at which the latter had been purchased.
In the meantime reference made earlier to His Majesty’s Legation was
bearing fruit, and a telegram was received by His 3VJaje>ty’s Consul at Muham-
merah from IIis Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires, desiring him to inform the Sheikh
that restrictions put on tho freedom of trade being opposed to our Treaty rights
with Persia would not be tolerated. Shortly afterwards the restrictions w’ere
removed. It has only been possible to treat this matter here in outline, and
information regarding many points not mentioned must be sought in tho
original correspondence. The schome is probably to be credited to Haji Rais,
and it is possible that ho succeeded in misleading the Sheikh, for whose good
faith in the matter a fair case might then ho made out. But it is impossible
to entirely explain away the failuro to give warning and the underhand way in
which the measures u’ere put in force.
It may he noted that though eventually the rains failed and the crops in
Southern Arabistan in the ensuing year will he a negligible quantity, no move
has been made towards the imposition of a properly authorised embargo.
15. JJuhamnierah.— It is sufficient here to note that during the past year
Sheikh Kliaza’l installed his son, Sheikh Chasib, as Deputy Governor at
Muhammcrah in place of his foimer Agent ’Abdi.
Chasib has as " Wazir ’* a young Persian, Abdul Majid, who has spent
some time in England and of w'hom it is difficult to say much good beyond
that he is intelligent.
The new rdgime has been interesting itself in sanitation and other foreign
ideas. Sheikh Kbaza’l has also been occupied in extending the town, and has
lately taken in hand the construction of a canal between the Shot-el-Arab and
the Karun. .
]G. According to report a proposal w’ns made in winter by the Iciiran
Mailis for the institution of a local Majlis at Ajubammcrah for which it uas
proposed to depute suitable members. After some passages ol diplomatic arms
the Sheikh was left in possession of the field.
17 Nasiri.—The town continued to extend at the accelerated roto w uc l
l)C«an in 1900, but it is questionable whether the population has mciense
pari passu with the increased accommodation available for it.
Tho rumour received from time to time of the establishment o a oca

of the desirability of setting up a public assembly in the town.