Page 782 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

48 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE
eventually succeeded in getting him dismissed by the Authorities in Tehran in
March. He was replaced as Kafil by Mirza Abdul Hussein, a Political Officer
nominee, who has performed his duties fairly satisfactory.
Mirza Hassan, the Hoad of tho Dizful Police, has continued in that office
throughout the year and has given every satisfaction, crime in the town being
.absurdly lacking.
Muhtashemoh-i-Huzur, tho Head of the Shuslitar Police, has not carried
out his duties very satisfactorily, and there have been many complaints against
his methods and attempts to extort money.
The political tone has been eminently satisfactory, the Governor-General,
his Deputies and subordinates have been gradually allowed and encouraged to
resume control of tho Administration which so long as the eyes of the Political
Officer are upon them is carried out fairly well. The judicious application of
the brake when their avarico overcomes their prudence is, however, essential,
and I consider the advice* although not too palatable at the time, is generally
much appreciated in the end. Our relations with all classes have been most
cordial, particularly with the merchants and lower classes who look to us, and
with every reason, as their protectors against their richer and more powerful
neighbours.
Tribal.

Tribal affairs have continued to be administered by the Political Officer.
The reason being that these gentry will have nothing to do with the Governor-
General and local Governors whom they despise, and mistrust. As the friendly
attitude of the tribal leaders is essential for the maintenance of law and order
and without their co-opertition it would be impossible to collect a penny of
Revenue, it has been and is the chief work of the Political Officer to maintain,
at least outwardly, friendly relations between them and the Persian Authori­
ties, and to act as the medium through which the necessary instructions pass.
In April Sartip Khan, Bahadur, the Chief of the Sagwand II, became
openly obstructive, finally tendering his resignation. His object seems to have
been to embarrass us with a view to obtaining an increase in his subsidy for
good behaviour, and supply of road patrols, etc. He seized the opportunity
to do so when the squadron of the 5th Cavalry evacuated Shush. To his
extreme surprise and indignation his resignation was accepted and his cousin
Sadiq Khan summoned to assume charge of the tribe.
Sartip Khan fled and allied himself with a gang of robbers with whom he
was defeated by the Sagwand Levy. He then took refuge with Mezban Khan,
a renegade Sagwand in Pusht-i-Kuh territory, who killed him in a quarrel
which ensued a few days after his arrival. The career of this ingrate thus
came to a fitting end.
Sadiq Khan was enthusiastically received by the majority of the Sagwands,
who had grown weary of Sartip’s avaricious ways, and although not without
a stainless character in the past, he has given every satisfaction up to date.
In November Sayed Mohamed Khan, Mer Ali Khan and Darab Khan,
all Sagwands and close relatives of the late Sartip Khan, brought to a climax
a series of intrigues against Sadiq Khan by breaking into open rebellion.
Sayed Mohamed Khan claiming the Headship of the Sagwand II, collected
a band of adherents, and seizing the opportunity when 8adiq Khan’s sowars
were advanced on his main camp. Action was delayed by the Political Officer
who attempted to persuade the two factions to arrive at an amicable settle­
ment. During the delav Sadiq Khan’s sowars were hastily summoned, and
the Amleh Lurs and Mushattat Arabs called upon to assist. So that when the
negotiations were broken off, Sayed Mohamed Khan was being rapidly
surrounded. . Sadiq Khan promptly attacked and completely routed the enemy,
who had their camp sacked and were compelled to abandon their women and
children. There is little doubt that if the attack had been pressed homo with
more energy neither Sayed Mohamad Khan nor a single follower would have
escaped alive. Luckily for them this was not the case and he managed to
escape into Bani Lam territory across tho river Khaikeh,