Page 384 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

so PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION RETORT
Sirdar Saiyid Khan h tlio rulor of this the largest district in Persian
Oaih District. Baluchistan. He has hitherto been consi­
dered the strongest and most influential
chief in these parts, hut it would appear that his authority is fast on the
wane owing to his opium smoking habits ; and it is also'said that since the death
of his eldest son, Mohrab Khan, this chief takes little or no interest in the
affairs of the country. His advisers are Islam Khan of Pint, Shai Dost
Muhammad Khan, his uncle, and one of his younger brothers.
The nows from Bampur lias been scanty and unreliable and nothing of
interest has come to hand. Sirdar Saiyid IChan is still the Governor, but of late
lie has spent the greater part of his time in Gaili leaving others to administer
the country.
German agents are reported to be in Bam but so far their influence in
Porsian Baluchistan has not made itself appreciably felt and it is hoped the
more influential chiefs will prevent them from coming near the coast.
Sirdar Islam Khan of Bint is the coming man and it is quite likely he
will, sooner or later, assume control of Gaili, Kusscrkand and other places if
Saiyid Khan does not interest himself more in the affairs of the country than
he has done within the past few years. This chief is considered by some as one
who^0 loyalty is in doubt and this was increased by the chief’s behaviour during
the time Khalifali Khair Muhammad was giving trouble last summer hut, if
his conduct was considered unsatisfactory then, it certainly has improved
within the past few months and I think he can now he depended on to act in
our interests.
Sirdars Mahmud Kliau and his nephew Din Muhammad Khan share this
district. The ill-feeling which has existed
Da;bti&ri.
for many years still continues between
uncle and nephew. The latter murdered his uncle’s Wazir last summer and
this has added to the bad relationship. Bum ours of impending trouble between
these two men are periodically being received and, in my opinion, the younger
man, who is much the stronger, will before long oust his uncle from Dashliari
and assume control of the whole district.
This place is under the dual control of Mirs Ashraf Khan and Ahmad
Khan and as these chiefs have been living
Babu.
on peaceful terms nothing of interest has
occurred in their district during the past year.
The exportation of slaves from the Mekran to the Arab coast has practi­
cally ceased, no cases having been brought
General.
to my notice during the past year, but
slares#continue to change hands in the country.
The rainfall this winter has been scanty and irregular and what has fallen
is too late for the wheat crop, jowari being the only cereal likely to grow in
any quantity. Last year the rains were plentiful in the earlier part of the season
and scanty towards the end, resulting in the partial failure of both the wheat
and jowari crops. Thus semi-famine conditions prevail throughout the country
and the suspension of the steamer service from India is malang conditions
harder for the people as it is impossible for the merchants to im port foodstuffs.
The war continues to be the subject of interest to every one and, from what
I can gather, the interest taken in the operations in Mesopotamia far outweigh
anything in connection with Germany. The people appear to be imbued with
the idea that the British Government was the aggressor, so far as Turkey was
concerned, and that we are entirely to blame for the campaign in Mesopotamia.
The sympathies of the country are with Turkey all the way, and any news,
particularly if unfavourable to us, is of the greatest interest and very agreeably
received by the people.