Page 751 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY, 1920. 17
The course of events in the North, as interpreted by theso officials,
appears to bo alienating the sympathies of those who used to be lukowarm
friends, while our policy of retrenchment and withdrawal to something liko a
peace time establishment naturally lends itsolf to misinterpretation.
It is reported that a pro-Bolshevik and philo-American movement is
•gaining ground in Bandar Abbas, but this appears to be mainly confined
to official circles and those connected with them, as the majority, especially
the pooror classes, in town and district are too well aware of the value of our
presence to themselves, and of what the aftermath of our departure would be,
to wish for any chango.
Mujliss Election.

In spite of repeated instructions that the election should he held, no
Result had been reached by the end of the year. The Election Committee
resigned once as a protest against the number of intrigues in progress. Orders
were received from His Excellency Mowaqqar-ed-Douleh in Tehran that the
return of Mirza Mahomed Bagher, Dast Ghaib, a noted Shiraz democrat,
should be secured, if possible. Mirza Mahomed Shofi, a Munshi of the
Governor of the Gulf Ports, was sent from Busliire to Bandar Abbas and Minab
to complete the work of the election, but he was not successful in doing so,
and remained in Minab as Acting DopuLy Governor.

South Persia Rifles.
Captain Brannon was in command of the Bandar Abbas detachment
throughout the year. Qhe total strength of the detachment has at no time ex­
ceeded that of a company, and has often fallen far short of that number.
Personnel for four road posts and periodical convoy escorts have to be
found by the detachment.
About 100 recruits, mainly drawn from the districts of Minab, Shamil,
Gohra and Bandar Abbas, were enrolled during the year and about 100 meri
discharged on completion of their three years’ contract. As a general rule,
only those with prospects of speedy promotion have renewed their contracts of
service. There are practically no Baluchis left, the resignation of the only
Baluchi Officer on account of age being probably the main cause of the
Baluchis being unwilling to renew their contracts. A shortage of Persian
Officers is one of the main difficulties with which the Officer Commanding has
to contend.
A Convoy Office and Supply Dep6t was inaugurated during the year and
put under the charge of a British Warrant Officer.
Lieuteuant-ColoDel Eraser, D.S.O., M.C., Inspector General of the South
Persia Rifles, halted for one day early in November on his way to Bushire,
and inspected the detachment.
The “ Karanja ” was in use until Decembor, when she was replaced by a
motor boat.
British Interests.

Anglo-Tersian Oil Wells at Sallak.—Mr. H. W. Hole was Manager,
Kishm Island, throughout the year.
The depth reached at the end of the year was 2,808' which shows an
increase of 19u' only on the previous year. Erom May to September the work
was confined to widening the bore from 2,602'.
At the end of the year the well was still apparently in petroliferous
series.
The Drilling staff changed during the year. Mr. McCall went home in
April on expiry of his agreomeut, and in the 6ome month Mr. Perkins met
with a serious accident, so that the works were left for 3 weeks without a
driller. In October owing to illness the only driller was invalided to Bombay
and in December for the first timo since April the drilling staff had its full
complement,