Page 387 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

FOR THE TEAR 1016. 33
prevented from cxcrcisiug authority by the Rais of sowars above mentioned,
and it became clear that the Bakhtiari JChans, seeing the weakness of the
Central Government, had aspirations towards tho Governorship themselves.
The Shaikh’s relations with tho Bakhtiari Khans remained outwardly
friendly throughout the year. Ho had howovor reason to believe that 8irdar
Jang, Ilkhani, had instigated the trouble with some of his tribes.
Sirdar Jang and Sirdar Bahadur wore replaced by Sirdar-i-Muhtasham and
Amir-i-Mujahid as Ilkhani and Ilbcgi respectively. Tho latter of these the
Shaikh regards as his friend and well wisher and his appointment was conse­
quently welcome to him.
In October, His'Majesty's Consul-General for Ispahan with his staff and
all British subjects resident in Ispahan, arrived in Ahwaz, whence most of them
left after a short stay for various destinations. Mr. Grahamc, His Majesty’s
Consul-General, took up his quarters at Ahwaz and remained there in charge
of Bakhtiari affairs.
After the conclusion of local hostilities, the Shaikh of Mohammerah’s rela­
tions with the surrounding Arab tribes gradually became normaL
The Shaikh of Mohammerah received and returned several visits with his
friend Shaikh. Mubarak of Kuwait. When the latter died in October, Sir
Khazal Khan went to Kuwait to take part in the funeral ceremonies and to
help to arrange affairs.
This Department worked smoothly throughout the year at Mohammerah.
Charges of extensive frauds were brought
Curi<ni3.
against the Director at Ahwaz, who was
replaced.
Through the courtesy of the Director of Customs, all Customs formalities
and dues were waived in the case of vessels proceeding up the Karun in connec­
tion with military operations and supplies intended for troops at AJiwaz.
A British Sub post-office was opened at Ahwaz in November and a weekly
postal service by launch between Moham­
Fost*.
merah and Ahwaz was contracted for with
Messrs. Strick Scott & Co.
In January, the reconstruction of tho old line, which had only been com­
pleted from Borasjun to Ahwaz and
Telfgraplis.
Mohammerah, was continued towards
Shushter and Dizful. Owing to disturbances work had to be stopped and was not
recommenced till November when the work was completed. Till then communi­
cation with Dlzful had been impossible for many years. The line between Reg
and Borasjun was wrecked early in the year, which has necessitated traffic to
the interior of Persia going through Karachi
Except for the interruption already mentioned, the Ando-Persian Oil
Company continued operations. Progress
Brit til Totet€*li.
was made with the new 10' pipe line. This
Company also undertook some important Admiralty work at Abadan. A new
stern-wheel steamer the “ Aminiyeh ’* was put on the upper Kanin for the
carriage of material from Ahwaz to Dara Khazina.
Messrs. Lynch Brothers continued their business hut were handicapped
by the great calls made on them for river craft in connection with military
operations. They supplied some vessels besides barges. *
. Owing to disturbances in tho‘ Bushire hinterland, there was a great increase
m imports by Mohammerah for Ispahan and Pars. The Lynch road remained
open for traffic throughout the year.
Owing to breaches on Persian neutrality by Gorman Agents, it was found
mure.*. necessary to remove tho Agents of Messrs.
Wanokliaua & Co. from Mohammerah
and Ahwaz. Mirza Abdul Karim, who was appointed to collect tho firm’s
outstandings, died at Moliammorah in September, and tho firms effects ware
then removed to Basrah to bo dealt with by the Controller of Hostile Trading

w