Page 227 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND TIIE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR TIIE YEAR 1907-1000. 43
67. Miscellaneous Affairs discuss pel with His Britannic Majesty's Vice-
Consul.—When met at Mriidan Munaftun in January, tho Sahal) and Salar
propounded a very startling proposal. This was that having lost faith in, and
respect for, the Persian Government they were anxious to <ut themselves adrift
from it and place themselves under British protection, They cited the cases
of Koweit and Mnskat ns representing what they wero aiming at. We had
previously made proposals to raise levies of their subjects and drill them, but
they had not felt ready for such a step ; they were now prepared to welcome it.
They also proposed to form an alliance with tho same general object with
Sheikh Khaza’l with whom they implied that they had opened negotiations.
The British Government would he asked to ratify the alliance and make
itself responsible for the observance of its terms by both parties, an artless and
characteristic revelation of tho slate, of mind cf tho Khans who during tho
last two years have been chiefly occupied in doing all in their power to remove
every trace of justification for putting reliance- on their good faith and
integrity.
In reality tho subject was only broached to tho Sheikh in Erbruary or
March uhen his representative Haji Bais-ut-Tujjnr visited the Khans at
Ab bid.
The Sheikh laughs at tho crudemss of the Klrms’ ideas aud is not likely
to be carried away by them.
68. Descending to more practical matters the Khans stated their desire
to build a bridge over the lower Karun in connection with which they would
construct, a track leading to some of the summer pastures of the tribes.
They asked that they might be informed what would bo tho expense
involved in obtaining an English Engineer to inspect and report on the
project.
Later, however, in reply to enquiries, they wrote that they had no inten­
tion of building tho bridge, but ODly of undertaking the construction of the
track.
It is understood that the Government of India propose to direct the
Assistant Engineer in the Persian Gulf to visit the ground and report on
what may be required.
69. Another matter discussed by the Khans was the purchase of 300
rifles, for the import of which they hold a Customs permit. They determined
on trying to obtain a certain proportion of the short Lee-Enfield rifles, and
the remainder Martini-Henry s. They have since had some dealings with
Messrs. Lyuch Brothers in the matter, and it is understood that the latter have
tentatively placed an order for 60 rifles with their London house. Import
or delivery would, however, only be made against payment.
The latest development, however, is that urgent telegraphic instructions
have been received by the Director of Customs at Muhammerah from Tehran
cancelling the permit.
60. Fiscal.—An embargo on the sale of grain in the Bamuz distriot was
imposed by the Khans in January. As Messrs. Lynch brothers were
affected reference was made by the Vice-Consulate to the Khans, and the
restrictions disappeared.
About the same time a general sumptuary order was issued forbidding
the use of tea and sugar and certain other articles of luxury, such as limes,
by Bakhtiari subjects. This order has been fairly rigorously enforced, at
any rate in the towns and villages, but clandestine trade in tea and sugar
goes on. European firms, which cannot do business in this manner, are,
however, affected, and in particular the Dutch firm of ter Meulcn and
Gratama was said to have been inconvenienced.
British interests for tho time being not being involved the mattor has
not been taken up by the Vice-Consul, and it is hoped that the regulations
will eventually die a natural death.
Considering the difficulty which the Khans have in controlling the
freedom of their subjects in much less legitimate and reasonable directions
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