Page 738 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

4 administration report of tite
On (lie evacuation of the Indian Troops the whole road was taken over by
the South Persian Rifles from Shiraz to
Bu*lilrc*Shiraz Itoml.
the limits of the island of Bushiro and it
is a remarkable fact that during the year there were, with one or two trifling
exceptions, no robberies and the road was safer than it has ever been before.
'1 he system of road guards inaugurated by the Force was continued by the
South* Persian Rifles and their numbers were considerably increased.
The actual road itself, naturally enough in the absence of repairs,
suffered considerably; but South Persian Rifles, Ford Vannetto convoys
continued all through the year. No changes among the Khans along the road
took place. Salar Mohtazid Deputy, Governor of Kazerun, was replaced by
Jalal-ul-Mulk at the end of November.
On 17th May Ilia Imperial Majesty the 8hah on [board It. I.M.S.
Lawrence which had been sent to Aden
Vii.t of H. I. U. the Shah.
to bring him to Basrah arrived at Bushire
about G ]). m. The Persian vessel the JPersepolis with His Royal Highness the
Farman Farma, Qawam-ul-Mulk, His Excellency" the Darya Begi and many
Persian officials and the Deputy Political Resident on board, accompanied by
the Customs ship the Mozaffer and a flotilla of gaily “ dressed ” launches
steamed out to meet him. The Persepolit fired a salute of 24 guns, the Shah’s
age. The sea front was illuminated with electric lights which were most
effective and there was a display of fireworks.
Next morning His Imperial Majesty landed at old Customs and proceeded
in a car to Government house receiving a great ovation from the large crowds
en ioute. The Fnrman Farma, Qawam-ul-Mulk, Darya Begi and the other
notables escorted the car on foot. Later the Shah received deputations from
several communities including one from the British Chamber of Commerce.
He left Bushirc about 8-30 that evening on the Lawrence for Mohammerah
accompanied by llis Royal Highness the Farman Farma and other notables.
The preparations, illuminations, decorations and enthusiasm of the people
befitted such an historic occasion and His Imperial Majesty expressed himself
highly pleased with his reception.
Shiraz was considerably affected by the news of the landing of the
Bolsheviks and the successive changes in
Fare Shiraz and the Tribe*.
Government at Teheran during the year.
Though there was much curiosity about Bolshevism there was little open
sympathy with it and in most quarters its dangers were realized. The Farman
Farina, after his return from Bushire, as a result of the fall of the Wossugh-
ed-Dowleh Cabinet felt his position insecure and his dismissal imminent. In
order to combat the local dissatisfaction His Royal Highness formed an
Anjuman-i-Malak who he hoped would telegraph a request to Teheran for him
to remain Governor-General. He was, however, confirmed as Governor-
General and then found the Anjuman-i-Malak an extremely inconvenient
institution.
The South Persian Rifles during the year confined themselves to training
and are now a very efficient force, probably the most efficient Persia has ever
possessed in modern times. On August 2nd Lieutenant-Colonel M. H. Lucas,
D.8.O., the officialing Inspector-General suddenly died. His death was a great
loss to the Corps and was universally regretted by the Persians as well as hi9
brother officers. In November Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. K. Fraser, D.S.O.,
M.C., returned from leave and took over command from Bt. Major Lilley who
had been acting.
A regrettable incident occurred in November near Kazerun when Captain
Knowles of the 1st Infantry, South Persian Rifles, was ambushed and killed
while out pursuing some robbers. The small detachment of men with him
acquitted themselves extremely well one man being wounded twice while
carrying away his officer’s body.
In September His Royal Highness Farman Farma resigned and retired
from the Ark. His Excellency Mussadiq-es-Sultaneh who happened to be on
the spot was then made Governor-General, as has been detailed elsewhere in