Page 224 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

40 'ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF
POLITICAL RESIDENCY
remain7' 11 "'°S °n'y W’th the ulmost difficulty that they were induced to

48. In the end of September the Vice-Consul visited the Khnns at
onalamznr, nnd matters relating to the Syndicate's affairs were discussed and
sundry claims on account of Messrs. Lynch Brothers were pressed. With a
single petty exception the Khans met the latter in each case with a decided
non jiossumus.
The Samsnm adopted on the whole a non-contentious attitude and
apologised for his conduct at Kimah, but his former r61o was now played by
the Shahab who was principal spokesman, and whose manner was markedly
disagreeable. J
Immediately after these interviews it subsequently appeared that they had
telegraphed to the Legation complaining of the Vice-Consul nnd the fact of his
having pressed these claims, and asking that the management of their affairs
be transferred to Bis Britannic Majesty’s Consul-General at Ispahan.
A reply was sent them reaffirming the claims, and refusing to entertain
their suggestion.
Again, however, in the middle of November the Shuja-us-Sultan, and the
eldest sens of the Samsam and Sardar Asad presented themselves at the
Legation, recited the usual list of their grievances, and again -demanded that
their relations with the Viee-Consul for Arabistan should be terminated.
They asserted that they wore authorised to speak and act on behalf of the
ruling chiefs, and when their complaints were rejected and met by a state­
ment of ours, they formally declared that, the Khans would no longer hold
themselves responsible for the safety of the oil w-orkers and employes.
The reply to this, on the motion of the Vice-Consul, was the suspension of
the guard instalment of £500 payable to the Khans on the 15th November on
account of the protective arrai gements for ihe succeeding three months.
Notice of the fact vas communicated to the Khnns from Ahwoz, and was
followed by an immediate alteration for tho better in their tone, which has
been more than maintained up to the time of writing.
49. It phould be mentioned that- in October, on a suggestion emanating
from the Syndicate at home, instructs rs were given for the R.I.M.S. Cornel
to proceed from Baghdad to A.hvnz vith a view to >howing the flag and
impressing the Khans Subsequently, however, the ship v as withdrawn on
the grounds that its presence at Abuaz vould not affect the latter purpose.
50. Almost immediately after the Khan’s repudiatory declaration on the
15th November, it was finally decided to make the proposed addition to the
Vice-Consular escort.
The intention was coir munirated to the Pe rsian Government, who issued
the necessary orders sanctioning the introduction of the arms into ihe countiy.
On December 16th 12 Sepoys and 8 Sowars under the command of
Lieutenant A. T. Wilson, I.A., arrived at Nasiri, and a second officer,
Lieutenant J. G. L. Banking, I.A., arrived ten days later.
was even-
Work having been abandoned at Mamatnin tho whole Pa^J
fually established at Maidan Munaitun which they reached on 20th January. ,
.
Since then no interference with the European staff lias been attemptc , 101 =
thefts have continued and violence has been offered to one ^a^Vj.courierr!!*'
one grain-purchasing agent, in both cases at a considerable distance
Maidan Munaftun.
Some trouble wn6 also given to a party bringing in grain for the\/sc°rA’
at a time when the public mind was disturbed by the lack o
nervousness as to (be crop prospects. The incident lias not been repe

just mentioned.
The Khans have been profuse in their promises, and midwords,
returned to a defiant attitude, but they have failed to make goo