'Administration Reports 1925-1930' [‎171r] (346/418)

SECTION IV.
Military.-
RecTuitYnents. \awar Khan Lar Khan Afshar, the recruiting officer, arrived
at Bushire at the end of October and a month later notified the opening of the
Recruiting Depot which was formally opened by the Governor. This year Dr.
Abul Qasim Khan Bahrami refused to join the Recruiting Committee which con
sisted of the Governor (or his assistant), the Officer Commanding, Troops, Bushire
(or his assistant), the Recruiting Officer, the President of the Municipality, Civil
and Military Doctors, the local Judge, the Director of Revenue, Chief of Police and
four leading merchants of the town. Lists showing the names of 18,000 youths as
eligible for service were posted and youths of 21 to 24 years were called up. Two
hundred were exempted as bread winners, many fled and only 57 were collected
and taken to the barracks for training. Seventy-six youths who had offered them
selves for service in the Navy were exempted from military service. Conscription
N measures continue to be very unpopular in Bushire and efforts are still being
made to obtain general exemption for Bushire and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Ports.
Disarming Campaign. —The disarming campaign which was taken up in
November 1929 was completed by the end of March 1930 when according to
official news 9,000 rifles had been collected in Dashti and Dashtistan. The actual
number however is probably much less than this figure.
Amniah (Road Guards).—The strength of this Force was brought up to about
500 by the end of the year and consisted of men engaged locally on Ts. 6 a month
with a daily allowance of Krs. 2 each. They were paid regularly for two months
when their wages and allowances were suddenly reduced by the Commandant to
Ts. 7 per month. Some of the guards began to beg and thus matters came to light.
The Yawar was apprehended and has since been dismissed from service. The
Officer Commanding the Amniah at Aham was brought to Bushire to answer charges
of bribery and maltreatment brought against him. His case is still going on.
At the close of the year it was rumoured that the garrison of Bushire would be
replaced by Amniah guards but so far nothing has been done in this connection.
Aviation. —A Persian Government aeroplane arrived from Tehran on the 12tli
January but while coming down hit the wireless mast at the aerodrome and was
wrecked, the Russian mechanic being hurt.
Navy.—Ak the end of November two Persian officials named Captain Ibrahim
and Salim Pio left for Port Said via Baghdad to bring in the " Chalchilah a
launch bought by the Persian Government for Ts. 20,000 from Germany. As she
is only about 53 feet long it is doubtful whether she can reach Bushire under her
own steam.
There is still no sign of the gunboats stated in the Persian press to have been
ordered from Italy.
SECTION V.
Aviation^
German. —Except in January when weather conditions prevented their aero
planes from running regularly, the Junkers Company have maintained an efficient
and punctual service throughout the year and there have been no accidents. In
March alone they ran 14 extra trips between Shiraz and Bushire and brought 56
cases of opium to Bushire. They deservedly enjoy the confidence of the general
public.
Imperial Airways, Limited. —Imperial Airways, Limited, maintained a weekly
service throughout the year. During the summer months the service is very
regular and punctual, but delays are common in winter owing chiefly to bad
weather conditions in Europe.
Butch. —The fortnightly Dutch Royal Air Mail service between Amsterdam
and Batavia was discontinued during the summer, but resumed in the autumn^
The service was not very regular.
M0. 171 FT).