Page 247 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

5
Disarmament of Tribes.—The military authorities continued disarming
tribes and the peasantry in Dashtistan, Tangistan and Dashti. Some 300 rifles
and a small quantity of ammunition were collected without opposition. In
March a regiment was sent to the Shib-Kuh district and commenced disarming
the followers of tho troublesome Shaikh Muhammad bin Ahmad Khalfan and
other tribes thero.
Navy, \avar (Major) Gluilam Husain Khan Bavendor who was promoted
during the year to the rank of Nnib Sarhang (Licut.-Coloncl) remained in com­
mand of the Persian Navy. The Navy successfully, continued their efforts to
check smuggling. 12 dhows were captured, several of which were burnt and
others taken over for naval purposes.
The gunboat “ Chahrokh ” was responsible for arresting Shaikh Muhammad
bin Ahmad Khalfan (a Persian Arab Chief of Tcbcn) who had been a thorn
in the side of the military and customs administration during the past ten
years. Having found it difficult to remain at Tcbcn, Shaikh Muhammad tried
to escape in his motor dhow to Bahrain. Unfortunately for him he was sighted
by the “ Chahrokh 99 which happened to be patrolling that neighbourhood and
after a chase the dhow was captured. Shaikh Muhammad and his companions
were sent under arrest to Shiraz for trial.
The following were the prizes captured during the year :—
Sloop “ Babr 99 .. .. 3 dhows with 1,320 packages of con­
traband.
Sloop “ Palang ” .. I dhow with 500 packages.
Gunboat “ Karkas 99 .. 3 dhows with 440 packages.
Gunboat “ Chahrokh 99 ... 2 dhows with 90 packages.
Gunboatf “ Chahbaz ” .. 3 dhows with 600 packages.
The “ Babr ” and “ Palang ” proceeded to Bombay for dry docking in
January. Afterwards they visited Colombo to return the visit of the Com-
mander-in-Cliief, East Indies in H. M. S. “ Hawkins ” to Bushirc in December
1933.

SECTION 5.

Aviation.
Arab Side.—Imperial Airways. The Company carried out its weekly
service along the Arab side of the Gulf without incident.
Persian Side—Thirty-seven British aviators passed through Busliiro
during the year.
In December Lady Blanche Douglas and her pilot Mr. V. Ogden while on
a flight to India had a forced landing at Maslileh-i-Bahmani in Tangistan.
60 miles south of Bushire. A rescue party was sent out by the Residency and
succeeded in bringing back Lady Blanche Douglas with great difficulty owing to
the flooded state of the country-side following upon torrential rains. Iho
aeroplane was just able to fly back to Bushirc where^thc necessary lcpaiis were
effected and the aviators shortly after resumed their journey.
Dutch and French,-The Royal Dutch Air Lines (K. L. M.) and Air France
maintained their weekly services throughout the year..

SECTION 6.
Political Situation.
The policy of the Iranian Government of carrying out a thorough dis­
armament. of the District which was steadily pursued all last year m the hinter­
land of Bushire bore good fruit and there was little lawlessness during tho
year under review.