'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎169r] (342/412)

News of the full force and import of Reza Khan's bid for a republic had
hardly reached Bushire when the movement suddenly fizzled out at Nauroz^
forcing Reza Khan to resign office and leave the country to find a new leader.
His subsequent reinstatement as Prime Minister found Bushire quite willing
to accept any turn of events, dictated by the military, whose influence remained
supreme.
The struggle between the Shaikh of Muhammerah and the Persian Gov
ernment brought the storm centre closer to Bushire. It seemed at one time that
the Shaikh with the support of the Lurs and the Bhakhtiari was about to declare
himself as the champion of the Khans of South Persia, whose independence as
well as his own had recently been seriously undermined. During this critical
period Ilaidar Khan of Hayat Daud more than once solicited the advice of the
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. as to the course which in his own interest he should best
adopt. He was advised to take the utmost care to do nothing to arouse the least
suspicion that he was not a loyal subject of the Persian Government, which
hardly a year ago he had publicly professed himself to be, Haidar Khan wisely
acted on this advice, and there is little doubt that by so doing he saved himself
from sharing the fate of his son-in-law, Ahmad Khan Angali, who was arrested
by the military apparently to prevent the possibility of his assisting the Shaikh
of Muhammerah.
With the arrival of the Prime Minister himself at Bushire on the 25th
November and the subsequent collapse of the Shaikh, the local Khans were
forced 1 to abandon any hopes they may have momentarily entertained of a return
to their old independence.
The attitude of strict aloofness from all connection with the pro-republican
movement adopted by this Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in accordance with instructions received
from H. M.'s Legation, and the friendly efforts of H. M.'s Government towards
a settlement of the crisis in Arabistan seem to have stifled efjjpctively any recru
descence of anti-British feeling in Bushire. If the growth of definite anglophile
tendencies can hardly at present be observed, some satisfaction may be derived
from the fact that the year has been successful in establishing still more firmly
the control and authority of a stable Government in Persia. Though a distrust
of foreign influence may be the immediate result, there can be no doubt that the
present conditions in Persia make for an increase in British trade and, it is
hoped, a fuller confidence in the disinterested^ policy of H. M.'s Government.
S ection 8.
Trade and Trade Facilities,
Trade. —During the year adverse trade balance has been reversed, and there
was a small margin of Exports over Imports. The figures indicate a general
improvement, but business has been heavily handicapped owing to the continued
tightness of money, due largely to the prevailing system of monopolies and to
the continued embargo by the Persian Government on the export of grain, lamb
skins, silver, etc. Large importers, too, are hampered by the villagers having
no money until their opium crop has been purchased.
Communications.—The Shiraz road was just passable for motors up to the
end of November, but the heavy rains then rendered it impracticable except
for animals. The actual security of the road however, improved during the year
owing to the presence of the Persian regular troops.
Postal Facilities. —These showed a great improvement under M. Chauviaux,
and approached a very much higher level of efficiency. Unfortunately, he left
on the 22nd October and was replaced by a Persian, M. Arjmand, who is a very
poor substitute.
There is now a great deal to be desired, particularly in the delivery of par
cels, which are greatly delayed.
S ection 9.
Miscellaneous.
' Two British subjects, Messrs. M. B. Hicks of Messrs. Ziegler & Co., Shiraz,
and G. P. Cox, motor mechanic, left Bushire for Shiraz on the 26th October.
Their car broke down near Churun, a village 40 miles south of Kazerun, and
Mr. Cox went to the village to obtain assistance. He was obstructed by Bahman
Khan, local chief of'the Road Guards. A quarrel ensued, and Mr. Cox struck