Page 233 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

TOR THE YEAR 1013. 91
•jjj tlio approval of the said Britisli representatives. His Majesty’s Consul
• aj been in indirect communication -with the Nizam through the Shaikh
0f jjobammerah and the necessary guarantee was immediately given.
On the 24th October the Minister tolcgrapkcd that the Minister of the
Interior had stated that the Nizam-cs-Sultaneh could return to Persia in
perfect safety and need have no fear of the Persian Government or of any
hostile influence. He also offered tho Governorship of Luristan to the
jsizam and laid special stress on our interest in tho Nizam’s welfare.
The above mentioned guarantee given by the Nizam, combined with tbo
Shaikh’s good will, give us indirect control over tho greater part of Arabislan
aud part of Fare.
The Nizam-es-Sultaneh lias now returned to Persia and, liis health
having considerably improved, there is hope of his being appointed Governor
General of Luristan, a position which, notwithstanding our desire to see him
accept it, he was unable to take up when first offered him owing to the
jevere illness which ho had had in Europe which had necessitated a serious
operation.
During tho early months of the year the relations between the Shaikh
and tho Bakhtiaris continued to bo the question engrosJng all attention
in Arabistan. Two important points had
Shaikh of Mohammorah ond Bakhtiari.
remained unsettled from tho previous
rear, one being the transfer to the Shaikh of that part of the Jarrani lands
which had been purchased by the Bakhtiari from the Mushir-ed-Dowleb,
the other being the unfortunate raid on the Aqili lauds which was made
by some of the Arabs who had been collected to repel tho Bakhtiari attack
on the Shaikh’s Deputy Governor at Shushtar in the previous May.
The settlement of the latter case was largely a personal matter since it
mainly concerned the Sirdar Muhtasham, the then Miuister of War, and his
family, the owners of the lands. Owing however to the weight of the
Sirdar Muhtasliam in Bakhtiari councils it added to tho gravity of the
general situation.
The question of the Jarrahi lands was more serious. The lands had
been bought by the Bakhtiaris in Tehran, perhaps with a view to irritating
the Shaikh and as an asset in the political situation where he was concerned,
but also with a knowledge that if they had to sell it would be possible to
obtain an enhanced price.
On hearing of the sale to the Bakhtiaris tho Shaikh immediately stated
that he could not allow it to be completed since it would make his position,
untenable.
That he was foolish to allow the purchase to he made is undoubted, but
be did not consider a sale possible without his being first informed of the
proposed transaction. In actual fact it was completed before he had heard
The lands in question are populated by the Shaikh’s Arab tribes and
their control by Bakhtiaris would constitute a menace which he could not
face apart from the blow to his prestige. The Jarrahi lands had always
been in his possession aud under nis control and Government and if the
Bakhtiaris did, as they threatened to do, take over the country Iris position
Tvoula have received a shock which it could not have sustained.
"While Persia has been getting more and more unsettled the conditions in
A.rabistan have been steadily improving. The policy of the Shaikh has been to
consolidate his powers gradually over the detached and scattered Arab tribes
" ithin his borders or who own him as their lord and chief.
Ibis policy is one which it is for us to encourage as it is greatly to our
advantage.
The power of the Shaikhdom, which grow during the chief ship of Shaikh
Mizal, the brother and predecessor of tho presont Shaikh, has greatly increased
‘luring the incumbonoy of Shaikh Khazal while British support and the honours
*hich he has received from tho British Government have greatly assisted him.
The entry of tho Bakhtiaris into a portion of the land, the property of
kibes owning aliegianeo to him, would not only have damaged the ShaikVi