Page 47 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

FOE THE YEAR 1912. 37

Monsieur Wiliemsem is a more energetic officer, who is prone to give
ouble. and, during his tenure, succeeded in making himself unpopular among
11 sections by his very strict interpretation of the rules and regulations. He is
? siv, and given to applying much energy in upholding the dignity of his office,
and "to potty matters, and has little sympathy with the methods and customs of
the people-
iSmuggling arms and ammunition, coffee, tea, and aniline dye, con­
tinues unchecked. A Customs launch has been stationed at Lingah throughout
the year, hut it is used chiefly for collecting revenue from outposts and making
transfer8-
The Director of Customs took over charge of the collection of all land
revcnucsof the Lingah district from the Deputy Governor, apparently in April,
Rcvcbuo hut no notification of the change has ever
been made to this Vice-Consulate.
the same time all financial disbursements to employes of the Persian
Government, including the Deputy Governor and his entire staff, were placed
in the hands of the Customs. These increased powers proved too much
for Alonsieur Willemsens, who regarded the Deputy Governor as part of his
establishment to be ordered about at will aud even threatened with deductions
ftoui his salary. The continuance of these financial powers vested in the
Customs seems likely to lead to the assumption of political importance and
interference by the Belgian Customs Directors.
Kcland.—Auent the petformauces of the Customs as revenue collectors,
the district of Naband falls within the scope of the Provincial Director at
Bushire, who, experiencing difficulty in collecting outstandings from the Shaikh,
evolved the sympathetic (sic) idea of assisting the Shaikh’s neighbour and
enemy, the Shaikh of Gabandi, to attack him and take possession of the Naband
district- The Shaikh of Naband acknowledged his obligation, and justly pleaded
io be excused liability for villages, which were captured from him years before
by lus enemies of Gabaudi, but to this the Financial Administration turned a
deaf ear, and in July, organized an expedition consisting of a field gun and 200
Uifangchis, which were sent from Bushire by the Persian ship “ Persepolis '* to
join up with the Shaikh of Gabandi and assist him in annihilating the people
of Xaband. The expedition proved an utter failure, and, having accomplished
nothing after two months’ operations, returned to Bnshire without the field
cun, which was taken possession of by the Administration’s friend, the Shaikh
oi Gabandi, who refused to give it up.
The above unjust action, was induced by a menial Persiau official of the
Administration, named Shaliab bin Muhammad, to meet his own corrupt ends,
and who, later, committed the indiscretion of writing to the Shaikh of
Xshand, in the name of liis Adminstration and of the Persian Government,
srious aspersions against British interests. This document fortunately
came into the possession of His Majesty's Vice-Consul and representations
kue been-made for the individual's dismissal and punishment.
In the month of June, by the special request of JTis Excellency the
Governor of the Gulf ports, and with the approval of the Political Kesidenfc
Residency Ageut, Khan Bahadur Agha Bcder, accompanied His Excellency
to Charak and Chiru, and, through his strong personal influence with those
shaikhs, succeeded in recovering for him a considerable amc unt of outstanding
revenue. His Excellency was very grateful for the service.
Lar.—Saiyid Abdul Husein’s presence at Lar, throughout the year, has
the town and district in a state of turmoil. His mad doings are not ap­
preciated by the Laris, but, by trading
Condition of Country. •
on their religious susceptibilities, he is
greatly feared and allowed to rule the town like a despotic potentate. During
5e.year he has appointed and deposed many so-called Governors of Lar. Saiyid
W Baba of Bairam (Governor) was relieved in April in favour of a Baharlu
■^h, named Khurshid Khan, who in turn displeased the ruling Saiyid and
deposed in July, when he became an outlaw and revenged himself by
'"todering caravans and cattle in the vicinity of Lar. Ghulam Husein Khan
! 'Aravi was then made Governor, and, as usual, the unfortunate Lari mer*
Hants were compelled to make him a large allowance for the office, besides