File 1421/1908 Pt 4 'Persia: oil; Anglo-Persian Oil Co and Bakhtiaris' [‎153r] (163/292)

3
kept in Tehran as hostages. But notwithstanding these fears, they are going to start,
in about a month’s time for the capital.
As I have already had the honour to point out, it Avas owing to their insistence
that the Agreement for the exploitation of naphtha was carried out. They fully
realized how it would enhance their position in the south-west and would draw the
bonds between the Bakhtiari tribes and 11 is Majesty’s Government closer, secure them
from undue interference by the supreme Government and carry on the policy which
has been quietly developed during the last few years. Altogether, a more far-
seeing and truer line of policy for themselves and the benefit of the tribes than that of
Haji Ali Kuli Khan, which will throw the tribes hack into a state of anarchy and
lawlessness similar to what they were in after his father’s murder.
Under these circumstances I would venture to respectfully suggest that His
Majesty’s Legation should give these Chiefs, when in Tehran, all the moral and
material support they can, should they require it, with a view of keeping the tribes in
their present state of contentment and prosperity, even if it is necessary to the exiling
of Haji Ali Kuli Khan. This line will materially help the well-being of the Ahwaz-
Isfahan Road and the operations of the Concessions Syndicate for the exploitation of
naphtha.
(Signed) J. R. PREECE.
November 24, 1905.
•■<4.
Report on the Ahwaz-Isfahan Road.
During the last two years robberies on the Ahwaz—Isfahan Road by men from the
Kuhgelu tribe have been somewhat frequent, and although the Bakhtiari Khans
have complained of these robberies, the Central Government have done nothing. All
the Khans asked for was an order from the Central Government allowing them, in
accordance with their original concession, to follow up and capture the robbers
where ever they were found. Without such an order they seem alraid to act, as
the Kuhgelus are a tribe of Ears, and this would have brought them into conflict with
the Governor-General of Ears, the Shoa-es-Saltaneh, the second son of the Shah. As
these robberies were allowed to go unpunished last year and the previous year, the
Kuhgelus have become more daring and several robberies of considerable magnitude
have occurred during this summer, so that the Bakhtiari Chiefs are beyond measure
incensed at the state of affairs ; to add to their discontent, the Government ignores
their complaints, put forward through His Majesty’s Legation, hut wires to them
that the Legation are complaining of them and the robberies oi Messrs. Lynch’s goods
and why do they not pay up, that they must do so at once, and that a Commissioner
is on his way to investigate the cases, thus completely reversing the situation.
As I told you in my telegram No. 40 of the 22 nd October, the Khans unless they
obtain redress, and are allowed to pursue the robbers, propose to declare the road
unsafe and shut it up for caravan traffic. Such was what Haji Ali Kuli Khan told
me more than once was their intention, but just before leaving Chahar Mehal,
Samsam-es-Saltaneh, the Eel Khane, said he did not approve of such a drastic measure
and that he would try to stop the robberies by increasing the £< tufangchis ” on the
road. 1 may point out here that the question of the Kuhgelus now assumes an
additional importance as the Concessions Syndicate will commence work near Ram
Hormuz, only some 8 miles from their country.
These robberies rendered the Khans most sensitive on the road question in every
way. It is a matter of much regret to me that, with reference to the 3,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. ,
which they had agreed to give Messrs. Lynch Brothers to repair the road, there seems
to have been a double mistake. In the first place, Messrs. Lynch’s letter, inclosed in
Legation despatch No. 12 of the 3 rd May, 1905, owing to my going on leave, appears
not to have been communicated to the Khans. Then, when the Khans offered to
Messrs. Lynch’s agent this amount, he declined to receive it. I have tried to persuade
the Khans to pay the 3,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. in the coming year, plus the 1,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. lor
1906, but they decline to entertain the idea, nor will they now pay in even the
1,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , as they say they can repair the road themselves at a much less cost than
would be incurred by Messrs. Lynch.
I informed them that the road w r as now r managed by the Persian i ransport
Company and had three Directors to look after it, Mr. Lynch being one °1 the
Directors. I had been asked at home by Mr. Lynch and Colonel Picot to see if it