Page 310 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

26 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT

CHAPTER V.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR THE PERSIAN MEKRAN COAST
FOR THE YEAR 1914.

Mr. E. E. Gunter held political charge of the Mokran Coast throughout
the year.
The Baluchis imported into Mckran during the year under report 867
. rifles besides six donkey and 15 camel
Arms lrauic, i i ^ i i•
loads of arms with a corresponding quan­
tity of ammunition; 1,963 rifles were imported during 1913. A greater
part of the arms were smuggled after the units of the East India Squadron
were recalled from the Persian Gulf for service elsewhere on the outbreak of
War with Germany It is not known what number of arms passed iuto the
hauds of the Afghans.
Mir Islam Khan satisfactorily settled the case regarding the patrol Shah
Beg and gave renewed assurances to act up to his agreement regarding the
prevention of Arms Traffic and was paid his Arms Traffic subsidy with arrears.
In April the telephone hut at Sadaich was burnt down, and it was sus­
pected that it was d one maliciously by some incensed Afghan The matter was
reported to Islam Khan, who had the hut re-erected at his own expense.
The Subsidised Chiefs of Persian Mekran, who were granted permits in 1913,
imported the arms and ammunition from Maskat in the early part of 191-1,
for the protection of the telegraph line passing through their districts. During
1914 Sirdar Mahmud Khan of Dashtiai i was granted a permit to import 2,000
rounds of ammunition but as fighting had taken place between him and Sirdar
Din Muhammad Khan, his nephew, the permit has been detained until the
peace is restored, llir Jalal Khan of Gwctter was granted a rifle and 100
rounds of ammunition in return for good services rendered to a telegraph repair
party of the Jask Sub-division sent out to restore communication.
On the outbreak of War between England and Germany, and again when
War began with Turkey, all British Indian
Outbreak of War.
subjects resident at Gwadur, Charbar aud
Jask were warned to comply with the regulations issued from time to time by
the Government. Letters were also sent to the Subsidised Chiefs urgiug them
to faithfully abide by the conditions they had promised to observe, and to do
all in their power to protect the telegraph line, The Chiefs, without exception,
acknowledged the letters and gave assurances that they would keep their
promises. Sirdar Islam Khan in addition offered his personal services and
1,000 men. The evil effects of War on trade were felt by the traders all along
the Mekran Coast
Towards the end of March, Misbah-i-Diwan, formerly Deputy Governor
of Bandar Abbas, arrived at Charbar
Condition of Peraiaa Melcran.
on his way to Baluchistan on a mission
connected with the appointment of Sirdar Muhtasham as Governor-Genoral
Kerman and opened negotiations to the Chiefs. The majority came to pay their
respects but Sirdar Saiyid Khan did not come. Misbah-i-Diwan made tele*
graphic appeals to the Governor-General through His Britannic Majestys
Consul, Kerman, for funds. These were not forthcoming and ho ca>no to
Karachi, arriving on fitli May, Sirdars Islam Khan and Mahmud Khan acco,Ti‘
panying him, to move the Director to interest himself on hi9 behalf. Ho sen
several telegrams to Kerman but as his efforts to obtain funds were no
successful, he pawned his personal effects to a British Indian subject
'Charbar and paid bis servants, whoso salaries had falloa in arrears. On
about 24th July he left for Bombay In the meantime rumours wero curr^ifl
in Mekran that Islam Khan was detained against his will in India by
British Government A general influx of his people into Charbar '
anticipated if the Chief did not return at once. Islam Khan, who wanted