Page 331 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND THE MASK AT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1003. 31
G3. The march was continued to Deli Luran, whence a decision was made
to visit the oil springs which occur at two points, one 5 and the other 20
miles to the cast of that settlement. They arc owned by Qaid Khani of
Deli Luran, and he accompanied me on my visit to them. The more westerly
group of springs produce only a very thick substance like pitch, the more
easterly yield inflammable oil, but are somewhat inaccessibly situated in a
gorge.
A report on the oil springs and other allied matters has already been
submitted.
Proceeding towards Arabistan part of the Bani Lam Arabs (Sheikh
Asad), who pay grazing fees to Pusht-i-Kuh, were passed through and the
Kcrkha was forded on December 11th above Shush.
64. Kuhgelu history does not appear to have been enlivened by any
remarkable events since the date of the last Administration Report. Tho K'jhgelu
Beyond some reprisals committed by them in Bakhtiari territory and
on Bakhtiari subjects nothing noteworthy has occurred on that side. 1 hey
have not been responsible for any robberies of Lynch’s caravans as in former
years.
The Kuhgelu were however said to be responsible for a series of
robberies which took place on the Ispahan-Shiraz road on the north side of
Abadeh in September and October. This would seem to have been an ex­
tension of their usual sphere of activity.
65. The Governorship of Behbahan, which includes the Kuhgelu, would
seem to have been going a-'begging. In September Haji Khasrau Khan
Bakhtiari* informed His Majesty’s Consul that the Khans still had their
ambitions fixed in that direction but that no immediate steps would be taken
in view of the advanced time of the year,'of which too little remained to make
it worth while to accept the liability for the revenue.
66. Lieutenant Wilson’s explorations and journeys in the Kuhgelu
country have already been adverted to. Further acquaintance with their
Chiefs was made by His Majesty’s Consul who met Hussain Khan, brother
of Ali Naqi Khan, the principal Chief of the Bahmai section, at Ispahan.
Hussain Khan expressed friendship on his own part and that of his family,
and a desire that the Consul should pay them a visit. These advances are
probably stimulated by the hope of getting the Oil Syndicate to start exploit­
ing in Kuhgelu country.
The circumstances are favourable for increasing our acquaintance with,
and knowledge of, this tribe concerning which or their country we have little
definite information.
67. Messrs. Lynch Brothers— Following up action taken by them British
in the preceding hot weather, Messrs. Lynch Brothers began in April fatorws and
to take active steps towards erecting a store for their goods at Arabuu*o.m
Shalaili, the port of Shushter. No sooner, however, had they begunctc-
to cart material to the site than opposition was met from the Muin-ut-
Tujjar’s agent, Alam, and from certain factions of the Shushter people
incited by him. It will be recollected that the Muin-ut-Tujjar laid claim to
the ownership of the site which Messrs. Lynch Brothers had obtained from
the apparent owners. His Majesty’s Legation had previously declared that
there was no question as to the ownership of the site and had directed that in
case of necessity the authorities should be informed that interference with
Messrs. Lynch Brothers in the exercise of their legal right would not be
tolerated. Reference was accordingly made in this sense to the Sheikh of
Mohammerah then at Nasiri, and de facto Governor of Arabistan, and he was
requested to issue an injunction against the proceedings of the Alam. This
he declared himself unable to do, and he required instructions from the
Persian Government. Reference was made to the Legation, but in the mean­
time, in response to representations submitted by the Muin’s Ahwaz agent,
the Nazim-ut-Tujjar, categorical instructions were sent down by the then
Prime Minister, the Nizam-us-Sultaneh, requiring the Sheikh to prevent the