File 1421/1908 Pt 4 'Persia: oil; Anglo-Persian Oil Co and Bakhtiaris' [‎113v] (84/292)

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In conclusion, I would express my deep sense of gratitute to Mr. G. B. Scott, late
survey department, Government of India, surveyor to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company
for the invaluable assistance he has rendered me during the course of negotiations by
his intelligent foresight and ready and willing execution of all requests in connection^
with maps, area statements, &c., required, and for his untiring energy in getting-
completed by the end of negotiations maps, which were absolutely necessary and which
were uncommenced at the beginning.
I would likewise express my thanks to Dr. Young, for all the assis*ance which he
has rendered me, and I would here state that in my opinion he has^ rendered the
company a signal service during these negotiations, the value of which will be apparent
in years to come.
It is interesting to note that the fields manager, in conversation with me, stated
that he thought 50,000£. would not have been an excessive sum to pay for the lands
now acquired, and as a relative matter of prices stated that a few years ago 27 acres
of oil land, were sold for 500,000/,. in Baku. During the course of negotiations I learnt
that the Bakhtiari khans had been in communication with all sorts of persons, Ilussians,
and others, regarding the relative price of oil-bearing lands. Incidently, I learnt that
they had been in communication with Edward Kitabji, who had impressed on them
that it was the invariable rule in such transactions that the owner of the land had to be
satisfied, whatever price he like 1 to ask.
Be it said to the credit of the Sardurs that during these negotiations they behaved
themselves like gentlemen, although, as I expected, they had been well tutored by
Yussuf Khan, Amir-i-Mujtehed.
Considering the fact that they are orientals and were selling the property in which
the company had sunk 1,500,001)/. and which they know the company must buy and
could not retreat from, I consider that they behaved with great forbearance and better
than some western owners might have done under similar circumstances, when in such
a strong position with regard to the sale.
Throughout the negotiations, though firm in matters in which they considered
their rights were affected, the khan’s general attitude was a very just one, though I
have not the slightest doubt, from what I know of their characters and from what I
observed during the course of negotiations, that had not a settlement been arrived at,
that subsequent trouble was to be expected, if not even a foregone conclusion.
Considering the whole case I tru^t that the present settlement meets with your
Excellency’s approval and will be considered a just one both to the Bakhtiari khans and
also to Messrs, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
I have, &c.
J. BANKING, Lieutenant, LA.,
Assistant Resident, Ahwaz.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Land Agreement with the Bakhtiari Khans.
(Translation.)
THE object of this aide-memoir is as follows :—
In accordance with the agreement executed on the 15th November, 1905, at
Shalamzar, the Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Muhtesham, llbeggi, and the Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Bahadur (the latter acting
for the Samsam-us-Salatana Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. ', personally on their own behalf, and as agents for
the Bakhtiari khans (on a power of attorney which they possessed, and have handed
over to the company) have sold all, and in their entirety, the Maidan-i-Naphtun,
Maidan-i-Naphtek, Tembi, the cart, pipe-line and telephone roads, the boundaries of
which are defined on a map, and are demarcated by stone and gatch pillars which the
Khans have approved of and accepted.
The above lands are possessed by the Bakhtiaris, and they have been sold with all
that is appertaining thereto, together with such springs, streams, &c., that may be
therein to the Bakhtiari Oil Company, and the First Exploitation Company for the sum
of 22,0007,
Of this sum 5,000/. has been advanced to the Amir Muffakhan and Amir Mujtehed
last year; an instillment of 10,000/. will be paid on the 1st June, 1911; a second
instalment of 5,000/. will be given on the 1st September, 1911, and a sum of 2,000/.
will be paid (together with the first instalment) to Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Muhtesham and Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.