Page 590 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON TIIE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
6

8ultaneh. Tho Daria Bcgi obtained tbo Governorship in September and baa
bold it ever since.
Public peace and tranquility —It is pleasant, after the record of 1897-98,
to be able to report a comparatively quiet year at Busbiro and in its neighbour­
hood There have been few cases of violent crime, and the English, com-
munity have Dot suffered at all. This improved state, of things is, no doubt,
chiefly due to the good rainfall, which provided plenty of agricultural work
for everyone, and to the consequent fall in prices. Other causes, I think,
are the stoppage of the arms traffic and the punitive measures takon during
the spring and early summer against the Tungastanis. As mentioned in last
year’s report, a small force of Cavalry and Infantry, with a field gun, was
sent by the Finnan Firma in April 1898 from Shiraz to Borazjoon, where I
saw them. They were under the command of the Saeed-us-Sultan, and were
about 800 strong. It is not necessary to eater into a detailed account of his
proceedings. The expedition is believed to have been a success, but it is
doubtful if it had much lasting effeot on the Tungastanis, or if any punish­
ment reached those really to blame for the troubles which occurred in the
early part of 1898. The S3ecd-us-Sultan came to Bushire on the 20th May,
andtook up the post of Governor. Ho was recalled, however, immediately
afterwards by the Governor-General, and. returned to Shiraz with the. greater
part of his troops. It will be remembered that the Tungastani leader, Ali
Khan, was believed to be the insiigator of the attacks on the Bushire KesU
dency, and on Mahmoud, the Jemadar of the Telegraph Department, whose
relatives were killed and whose house was looted in March 1898. Im­
mediately after these crimes, Ali Khan fled from the Imamzada where
he bad been in “ bust ”, and returned to Tungastan. His enemy H'yder
Khan joined Saeedrus-Sultan, and was confirmed in his position of
Tungastani Governor. Ali Khan hearing of this fled tp a port higher up
the coast, with the intention of going by sea to Basrah. No attempts being
made, however, to seize him, he returned to TuDgastan, from where he com­
menced writing, to Mahmoud, and to the Residency, declaring his innocence,,
and threatening that, if the efforts, which were being made against bizn
were not relaxed, he would come in and take “ bust ” with Mahmoud- It
•houldhere.be explained that this custom of taking “bust” is carried in
Persia to such a length that an accused person can enter the bouse of hi»
acouser, who is bound to receive him, and unable to take any steps against
him, while he is in “ bust ”. Ali Khan did not eventually go to Mahmoud's
house, but applied to the Residency Authorities, stating that he would come
in and surrender himself, provided he received a fair trial, and that a promise
was given him that he would not be handed over to the Persians. I was at
that time away from Busbireat Shiraz, and. Mr. Prideaux, Assistant Resident*
agreed to Ali Khan’s proposal. He came in accordingly, and an investigation,
which was held, pointed strongly to his connection with, the crimes °which
occurred while he and lib followers were staying at the Imamzada. Claims
thereforejof 4,000 Tomans were put forward by the Residency aa.compensation to
those who hadsuffered. Ali Khan would probably have paid the amount, but he
wished to be assured that he would not be molested afterwards.by the Persian
Government. Thb assurance we were unable to obtain, and I toid Ali Khan,
on my return from Shiraz, that as he had come in on the safe-conduot of a
British Officer, he was free to leave the Reeidencv,, where he had been livin®* for
six months, whenever he pleased, but that as he had not paid the compensation
demanded, we vvould now endeavour to recover it through the Persian Govern-
men to whom he is subject. A formal demand has recently been made by
our Minister at Tehran, and I hope the money will be recovered in due course.
All Khan owns considerable landed property on the Bnshire Island, and tbn
outrage on Mahmoud originated in a dbpute over a water-way. It had not,