Page 334 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

34 ADMINISTRATION RETORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

supplied to Mr. Reynolds. This subject has already been referred to in
paragraph 63 of this report.
The question of the retention of the Indian Oil Guard has come up for
discussion during the latter half of the year, but no final decision has yet
been made known.
This matter has been more fully dealt with above, vide paragraph 4.
77. Karun Irrigation Scheme.—Nothing was heard of this project during
the year. The attempt to keep records of the level of the water in the river
was defeated by the destruction of the lower gauge erected by Major Morton.
This occurred in the autumn of 1007 and it was proposed that the Assistant
Engineer in the Persian Gulf should investigate the question of erecting a
new one in a more favourable situation. The question has not, however,
been pursued to a practical issue. A temporary gauge was arranged by
Lieutenant Wilson in summer but it shared the fate of its predecessor.
From information received from Bushire it is believed that a concession
for irrigation works in Arabistan has been obtained by the Minister for the
Netherlands.
78. The Mohammcrah-Ahiuaz-Borasjun Telegraph Line.—The acquisi­
tion of British control over this line has been an object of our ambitions for
several years, and its desirability goes on increasing.
In the year under review matters were at last given a more practical
turn by instructions telegraphed by His Majesty’s Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, acting on an understanding with the Director-in-Chief of the Indo-
European Telegraph Department, dated 22nd August, directing that the
Director of the Indo-European Telegraph Department at Tehran open
negotiations with the Persian Minister for Telegraphs with a view to acquir­
ing the management of the line. No information lias however been received
of the initiation or progress of negotiations.
The lamentable failure of the telegraph service under Persian manage­
ment especially during the winter months makes the matter one of the first
great importance to all commercial interests.
It has been suggested by the local manager of the Oil Syndicate that
as the Syndicate will have to establish a telegraphic system for the work it
might be possible for them and the Indo-European Telegraph Department to
act in combination as far as the Ahwaz-Mohammerah section is concerned.
79. The Imperial Bank of Persia.—In July, the question of the advis­
ability of starting a branch of the Imperial Bank of Persia in
Arabistan was under the consideration of the principal officers of the
Bank at Tehran, and Mr. Caesar Hawkins, a Director of the Bank,
who was at that time in Tehran, was in particular anxious to
have the matter investigated locally. Owing, however, to the lack of any suit­
able officer to put on special duty for the purpose no steps were then taken^
and there are no signs that further progress has since been made. Primd
facie there would seem to be good grounds to warrant an investigation. The
financial affairs of the Oil Syndicate are considerable and will certainly
increase, and Messrs, ler Meulcn and Gratama, in the absence of personal
relations, find it very difficult or, as they say, impossible, to obtain fair treat­
ment from the branch of the Bank at Bushire and predict that, if the German
Bank takes shape, a branch will certainly be opened at Ahwaz. Messrs.
Lynch Brothers have entirely given up dealing with the Bank at Bushire.
One difficulty which will always have to be taken into account is the want of
centralisation in the financial affairs of Arabistan.
European business centres in Ahwaz, but the centre of native business is
at Shushter, while both classes arc to some extent represented at Mohammcrah.
80. Visitors.—The only official visitors were Lieutenants Williams and
Farren, I.A., on deputation to buy mules for the Remount Department.
Owing to temporary disturbances on the Tigris they determine
to make their way to the Kcrmanshah district vid Ahwaz, which p a
they reached with their escort of 20 Indian sowars on the 20th Ap •
After some difficulty in obtaining transport they moved to u