Page 234 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

D2 PERSIAN GULP A&SltNISrftATION REPORT
prcsfcigo but, with the knowledge of the assurances which wo had given v
would also have affected our position both with the Arabs and tho Bakhth *•'
whether the point came actually within our assurances or not ; indeed this l*1?
would havo boon a position on which they would have had no correct inform*
ation.
To meet tho situation the Shaikh collected forces so as to havo them at hi
disposal should the Bakhtiaris take any forward measures. 5
By the timo the Bakhtiaris arrived in the Spring ho had some 10,000
to 15,000 men massed in various parts of the country, in Jarrahi to monace
Bam Hormuz and near Dizful to threaten other Bakhtiari property.
Sirdar-i-Jang, the Ilkhani of tho Bakhtiari, had, in Tehran, made a definite
promise-to the Minister that he would hand over tho Jarrahi lands, i.e., their
purchase deeds to tho Shaikh.
On reaching Bakhtiari country, however, ho announced that lie had no
intention of doing so. As matters were approaching a crisis and, after representa­
tions to the Minister, the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz was sent to tho Sirdar Jang to
inform him that any disturbance in Arabistan would be a matter of grave
concern to His Majesty’s Government. His Majesty’s Vice-Consul was also told
to impress on Sirdar Jang the importance of bis carrying out his promise to
the Miuistcr to dispose of the Jarrahi lands to the Shaikh.
Captain Grey reports that at first Sirdar Jang was obstinate, but that he
finally occame more reasonable and told His Majesty’s Vice-Consul that, in
actual fact, he had not the power to sell without tho consent of the Khans in
Tehran.
After a period of crisis the Shaikh’s eldest son and -Haji Rais visited the
Sirdar Jang near Ram Hormuz and terms mere arranged which terminated the
danger and the Shaikh dismissed his troops.
The bargain cost the Shaikh a fair amount of money but was little com­
pared with the expenses for the upkeep of an army.
Sirdar Jang informed Captain Grey that he had intended to send agents to
take over the lands until he realised how grave a matter of concern it was to
His Majesty’s Government.
It was thus touch and go as to whether Arabistan should be in a blaze.
The terms arranged required tho sanction of the Khans in Tehran which
was not obtained until the Minister had brought his influence to bear.
Sirdar Jang finally met the Shaikh at Eend-i-Kir near Ahwaz on his home­
ward journey to Bakhtiaristan and the final terms of the agreement were
signed, in May, by which the Shaikh paid tomans 30,000 for the Jarrahi lands
and gave a present of tomans 5,000 for the damage done in the Aqili raid.
Neither His Majesty’s Consul for Arabistan nor His Majesty’s Vice-Consul
at Ahwaz were present at these proceedings, but a copy of the agreement was
sent to the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz to mark the fact that it had been arrived at.
The meetin gs at Ramuz and Bend-i-Kir are a tribute to the political genius
of Haji Rais and it seems difficult to realise that,.at tbo finish, the Shaikh
became the agent for the Bakhtiaris in all matters in Arabistan.
His Majesty's Consul has in season and out of season impressed upon the
Shaikh that his interests lie in attempting to keep up his friendship with tho
Bakhtiari, a point which he fully admits. The difficulty is to carry it out owing
to the fact that the Bakhfciari are so divided among themselves.
At the moment of writing a meeting is taking place near Ahwaz between,
the Shaikh and the Sirdar Jang. It is hopod that tho friendship which lw®
been maintained throughout the year will be strenghthened.
There are two points of difficulty which should be removed. The first is
tho Amir Mujahid, who helped the Shaikh in the time of his need but who w a
the present moment an embarrassing friend owing to the fact that he is on very
bad terms with the rest of tho Khans and his friendship with the Shaikh is a°
well viewed. It is to the Shaikh's credit that he refuses to throw him over
The Amir Mujahid is proceeding to Europe which may get rid oi ^
difficulty.