Page 428 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

4 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Tho Persian Government assured His Majesty's Minister on moro than
ono occasion that tho prisoners would shortly ho released cither by Soulet-ud-
Dculek or somo other means, hut nothing resulted.
Tho prisoners having intimated that somo of them could escape, skotch
maps and notes of routes were scorotly sent to them, arrangements wero made
with certain Khans on the borders of Dasliti, which is not far from Alirain, to
receive them and assist them to reach tho coast at somo point near Lawar.
This plan, however, did not materialise, as tho prisoners afterwards deoided
that as all could not get away they would not make tho attempt.
Later, Lieutenant-Colonel O'Connor wrote that tho prisoners could seize tho
fort in which they wore oonfined, and asked for details as to how soon the
General Officer Commanding could havo men at Ahrarn to relievo tho prisoners
after hearing of tho soizure of the fort.. The proposal to send troops out for
this purpose, howover, was vetoed, and this plan also came to nothing.
His Majesty's Minister accordingly decided that, as tho severest part of
the hot weather was rapidly approaching, and there appeared to bo no hope
of effecting the release of the prisoners through tho Persian Government, it
would he better to try and arrange it ourselves with tho Khans.
Finally, in July, after considerable telegraphing as to details of terms,
orders wero received to enter into negotiations with the Khans for the exchange
of prisoners on tho basis of the conditions proposed by the Khans, except that
nothing which could bo construed into a pardon should he given them.
While this question was under consideration news was received that
Mr. Christmas was dangerously ill, and after somo correspondence and a pre­
liminary point blank refusal by Shaikh Hussain, it was arranged to exchange
two of the Tangistani prisoners for him separately, without prejudice to the
general question. This was done, and Mr. Christmas was brought in to
Bushire on 2nd August. After the abovementioned refusal to exchange Mr.
Christmas, Sub-Assistant Surgeon Farid Khan was sent out to Ahram to see the
prisoners. He missed Mr. Christmas, who passed him on the road, but reported
the other prisoners all well, though severely tried by the heat and the hard
conditions of life.
After considerable delay and somo misunderstanding an exchange was
arranged on the following terms:—
(1) Khalu Hussain and the Tangistani prisoners to he exchanged against
Colonel O’Connor and the British prisoners;
(2) Certain monies belonging to Shaikh Hussain to be returned, and
certain tea confiscated at Bahrain, which was claimed by Zair
Khidhar, to he returned to him;
(3) The route across the Mashilla to Borasjum via Ahmedi, which had
been closed by our outposts since the occupation, to be re­
opened.
On the lOtb August the exchange was efFectcd, but, owing to an unfortu­
nate mistake, Zair Hussain was not present—he had been sent to Bombay instead
of to Bu8birefrom Basrah by mistake on the 29th July, and could not be got
back in time. This naturally caused a good deal of difficulty, which was
settled by Colonel O’Connor remaining with the Khans till Zair Hussain was
produced. The latter was returned to Bushire on the 20th and Colonel
O’Connor was released the same day.
The whole party of prisoners, except Mr. Livingstoho, proceeded to India
by the Hired Transport “ Elephanta ” on the 23rd August.
In December 1915 the Qawam-ul-Mulk, who had been appointed Acting
Governor-General of Fare in September,
Qawac<ol*Malk, Acting OoYernojvOonera] of Fan.
was driven out of Shiraz by a determined
attack on the part of the Gerdarmcrie and “ Democrats**. He withdrew to his
own tribal territory and the rebels at once nominated Nasir-ul-Mulk (firsj
nominee for Governor of Busbire in September 1915) to be Governor afld
«• Amir-ul-Mulk ** to be Ilkhani of the Arab tribes.

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