Page 218 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

3'Jj ’ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY*
arrival, was hailed with unexpected onthusinsm by tho bulk of the population
wearied of the oppressions and exactions of the Abdus Samad family. The
oun rose, and Slieikli Abdus Samnd with his relations and principal supporters
U’cro glad to be able to fly, and seek an asylum in Nasiri.
After hanging on at Nasiri till the latter part of July they eventually saw
well to remove to Najaf, whore they have remained up till the present.
Thanks to Sheikh Murtnza’s influence and moderation no excesses accom-
panied this popular outburst.
Tho town, however, remained in a state of commotion which tho threats of
the Sardar Mukarram and Sheikh Khaza’l, and even the despatch of Sheikh
Ifanzal and the Muizz-um-Mumalik to its gates, was unable to quell. Their
temerity even carried the townspeople to tho point of seizing and temporarily
keeping under restraint the sacrosanct person of llaji Rais.
Peace supervened only to bo broken again by internal quarrels. On his
first return, the management of affairs had rested largely in the hands of
Sheikli Murtaza, but their immediate aims having been served tho headmen,
or Agbawat, dosired to regain tho state of unrestrained license, which most
fa\’ours their nefarious purposes. In this they wore successful, for having
discarded Sheikh Murtaza they established an oppressive and quarrelsome
oligarchy.
22. Serious troublo broke out again in December in the form of domestic
trouble, the cause or excuse for which was the presence of some members of
the family of the late Kalantar Muhammad Kazim, who in July had been
allowed to return to Shusbter from Failya, where they had for more than a
year boon under the protection or surveillance of Sheikh Khaza’l.
Sheikh Murtaza folloYving the traditions of his family espoused the side of
tho Kalantar, but failed to effect a peaceful adjustment. Fighting ensued and
continued on into Februaiy without, however, any very serious casualty list.
Partly by the intervention ot the Bakhtiari Khans, partly owing to tho
advent of the Sardar Mukarram, and partly because of tlie absence of any
sufficient subject of contention, peace wa^ then established.
The net result has probably been to weaken the position of the Kalantar’s
family, who had gained considerable power on their first return, and to bring
on Sheikh Murtaza the contumely of a considerable seotiou of the inhabitants.
23. The trouble which arose in Southern Arabistan in connection with
the purchase and sale of grain Yvas duplicated, or forestalled, by similar trouble
at Sbushter.
In November tho dominant powers in the town decreed that no grain
should be sold for export in Shusliter, and later extended the embargo to the
surrounding districts. The removal of grain which Messrs. Lynch Brothers bad
previously bought and had stored in the town was prohibited, grain which
was being brought in for them from the villages was seized, and their brokers
in the Miyanab were prevented from buying.
Appeal was made to Klmda Karam Khan, but he had from the beginning
been without a shadow of power in the town, and made no attempt to render
assistance in the present case. Reference was eventually made by the Vice-
Consul to Sheikh Khaza’l and some slight degree of satisfaction was obtained.
2<t. In the end of March fresh troublo was reported in Shushtcr arising
from the seizure and deportation by the liakhtiari Khans of a bankrupt
merchant, nomine Alam. Here again Sheikh Murtaza appears to hove come
forward on the less popular side, and a later story which announces the
rmfsoning of his eldest brother (Sheikh Muhammad Jawad) attributes the deed
to him, on the ground of an alleged difference of opinion in this case, but
probably with no truth. ,
1 25. Khuda Karam Khan loft Shushtcr in spring. He had never been
Governor in more than name. # . , .
Previously existing intimate friendly relations were .maintained between
vic<Zconsulate and Sheikh Murtaza, the Mastauii, Mirza Tahir Khan, and
the son ot the Imam Juma, all persons of local importance.