File 3154/1912 Pt 1 ‘Turco-Persian Frontier: the position of Hawizeh’ [‎37r] (67/148)

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above referred to have belonged from time immemorial to Hawizeh, which
has been a recognised district of the Persian province of Khuzistan or
’Arabistan for at any rate four centuries. They pay revenue to their tribal
Shaikhs, who formerly passed it on in tribute to the “ Mania ” ruler of
Hawizeh, who, in turn paid, or did not pay, it to the Central Government
until 1902, at which juncture, fortunately for the Persian Government, the
Shaikh of Mohammerah assumed responsibility for the district, since when
the tribesmen have both paid revenue and become definitely submissive to
him. . . , . .
In this connection I may mention that at the time of my visit the Bani
Salih Shaikhs were mustering a contingent of horsemen tor despatch to join
the force which Shaikh Khaz'al was then mobilising for an expedition, if
forced on him, against the Bakhtiaris.
Apart from the Shaikhs and tribesmen of the Bani Salih and Bani Sakain
whom we came in contact with, I lighted upon a veteran inhabitant of
Shu’aib who claimed to be 138 years old, and might at any rate be regarded
as fairly representing the “memory of man” in relation to the existing
status quo. . .. . „ „
The universal view expressed as to the irontier was as toJlows
(i.) That whatever is the boundary of the Hawizeh district in the
direction under discussion, that will ipso facto be the frontier of
Persia on that side.
(ii.) That the “Hawizeh district” comprises those lands which are
regularly occupied and cultivated by tribes belonging to it, and
paying revenue to Persia.
(iii.; That on the above premises the boundary claimed west of Hawizeh
is the edge (or mid-channel of the stream where there is one) of
the marsh which, coming down from the westward of Bisaitin in
the north, passes Shu’aib village on its way south, and continues
in the same direction towards the Shatt-el-’Arab. This line of
frontier, as soon as it reaches a point due west of Kishk-i-Basri, is
considered to break back to the latter spot, whence it can be
drawn direct to the Shatt-el-’Arab at Di’aiji.
The reason for the fixing of this latter landmark as an angle of the
boundary is referable to the existence of a winter lake of rainwater at Yafair.
The limit of cultivation and occupation by tribesmen under Hawizeh in this
direction is regulated by the distance from their water supply (Yafair) at
which they can safely dwell and keep their flocks. This limit is considered
to be reached at Kishk-i-Basri, where the ruins of an extensive old building
of great age form a convenient landmark.
7 It will be seen that the frontier thus claimed by the local Bedouin
inhabitants who, I need hardly say, have no knowledge of what has transpired
in the past or what the views of the Central Government may be m the
present only differs from that claimed by the Persian Government at the
time of ’the Treaty of Erzeroum in that it resigns the south-western section
of the tract to the bulks. p an ’ i i + i i ,
The “ Hor ” or marsh west of Shu aib is clearly a natural and convenient
geographical frontier, and the boundary, as above described, seems a
reasonable one for Persia to claim and a simple one to demarcate.
8 The point of vital importance is that Hawizeh and the “ Hawizeh
district” should remain with Persia in its entirety, the reason being that
it has alwavs formed an integral part of the province, and that the
possession of it is strategically essential for the security of Arabistan.
^ \s at present constituted the Hawizeh district is very securely protected
on the north and west bv geographical features and this fact relieves the
Shaikh of Mohainmerah, as Warden of the Marches, of a great measure of
anxiety in regard to the frontier in this direction. It is clearly important
that these conditions should endure and should be fixed on the basis of the
natural features existent.
9 I should like to mention here that the name of Shaikh Khaz al was
held in great respect wherever I went, and that the air of confident security