'File 3/8 Affairs of Sh. Khaz`als sons.' [‎135v] (270/508)

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Simultaneously disturning the BAKHTXART• In Septeiriber he sent a small
force to SHUSHTAP.;, puhlicly' announcing at the same time that he intended
to work on good terms with the Shaikh, and concentrating attention on
questions of oil guards and revenue. In November a settlement regarding
revenue was reached and the Nar llinistor placed an order in England a or
four Rolls Royce cars as a present for the Shaikh; with the result that
in February 1924 Dr, MILLSPAUG-H (then American Financial Adviser) was
able to state that if he could collect the money due from the Shaikh of
HOHAMtffiRAH there would be a balance in the Persian treasury During the
spring REEA Khan was involved in political intrigues in TEiid-N but in
July the genuinenes of the Firmans by which Shaikh KHAE’AL held his lands
were questioned. Thus was of course a direct threat on one of the points
covered by the agreements of 1914* The wording of the enquiry was
subsequently toned down but Shaikh KKAZ 'AL, furious adopted an intransi-
geant attitude and rallied his supporters; and was warned in September
that we considered his behaviour endangered British interests. REZA Khan
made counter preparations and in October the Shaikh wrote to the High
Commissioner of Iraq offering, in order to cease being an embarrassment to
the British Government to throw in his hand and withdraw to Iraq, if
suitable provision could be made for his • .upkeep* The purpose of this
gesture and its sincerity are not known, for it was not taken up, and while
8,000 Arab troops were massed at Z AID UN the Persian Government put in
order the landing ground at BEHEBIIAIT? On October 15th REZA Khan assured
H.M. Minister at TEHRAN that ho would not advance beyond the encircling
positions of KHOI RAMA3AD, GIIAHAR LIAHAL, BEHBEHAN and BANDAR DIEM, but a
fortnight later he advanced on ZAIDUN which was evacuated by the Arabs
under orders, though their rear gua.ro nevertheless suffered casualties*
REZA then gave out that he would not advance boyor ZAIDUN unti _ th^
method of negotiation had been eniausted. H.M. Minister who was en route
from England therefore called upon the Shaikh at MOH/sMI/IERAH, as a result
of which the Shaikh sent REZA Klian a telegram of submission and apology.
It was greeted first with ominous silence, and then by a demand that the
Shaikh come and surrender to KEZA unconditiona.ily ■ .t 'SHIRAZ. The agree
ment, when KHAZ*AL sent his telegram, was that the two should confer at
BUSHIRE and that t he Persian troops should withdraw to ISFAHAN and BEHBEKAN
so that the episode illustrates the reliance to be placed on the Ear
Minister’s word. Nevertheless renewed British interposition elicited
the explanation that REZA was indignant at the delay in receiving the tele
gram, and this having leen explained as due to a technical ’ nkdown, it
was agreed that on receipt of a new and more submissive cosi .unication •
REZA with a retinue r f 10 or 12 would be the Shaikh's guest ax; ‘fAALIYA
where he would pay h: a the respect due to his rank. KHAZ’AL did as was
required,began to disband his troops and prepared to welcome his
dangerous guest. On 1st December REZA Khan reached HINDIXAN* ErLAZ'AL,
nervous, failed to advance beyond AHWAZ to meet him and his fears were
to that extent justified that the following day 1,000 fresh Persian
troops entered DIZFULo KHAZ ‘AL withdrew to MOHAMilERAH and REZA advanced
to AHWAZ, where at the urgent insistence of K.K* Minister that this was
the final chance, KHAZ UAL at last went to meet him.
14* On 7th December the two opponents swore eternal friendship on
the Quran. It was agreed that a temporary governor should be ap^oi'.ted
to ARABISTAN after which KKAZ ! AL should be reinstated, that Persian
troops would be withdrawn from SHUBHTAR in the spring; that the Shaikh's
authority over thn :\rab tribes would not be questioned and that , minor
questions regarding revenues, taxation etc should be settled by agreement
at a later date# The G-.0.0. Pars was accordingly appointed Governor,
and KEZA returned to TEHRAN with one of KHAZ’AL’s sms whom, it - 7s -oid,
he was to appoint as his A.D.C.
15* On the 19th of April 1925 Shai.kli KHAZ'AL and his son 'IJBDUL
HAMID were arrested by the Military Authorities in the Shaikh's palace
at FAILIYA and cammed off to TEHRAN® The Shaikh's offence was reported