'Military Report on S. W. Persia, Volume II, Arabistan' [‎8v] (21/96)

6
• (afad Shushtar in the absence of the Governor) are under a
Deputy Governor appointed by him. Ram Hormuz is also ruled
by a Deputy-Governor appointed by arrangement with the Bakh-
tiari Khans, from among whom he is selected. Ram Hormuz is thus,
except for revenue purposes, practically a part of the territory
controlled by the Bakhtiari Khans.
The rest of the Province—described above as S. ’Arabist m— ia
ruled by the Shaikh of Muhammareh, who, though nominally
under the Governor of 'Arabistan, is to a large extent autono
mous, though of course he pays the taxes demanded according
to custom by the Central Government at Tehran. He is far
more influential than the Governor, who is usually a nonentity
’only able to retain his position by favour of the Shaikh and of the
'Khans. ' i ' ■ 1 : :
The Shaikh's relations with the B have for
some years been of a very friendly nature. His interests are, in the
main, our interests, and he fully realizes the prospective value of
our assistance and protection in the contingency of an attack upon
him by the Turks, or an attempt on the part of the Persian Govern
ment to oust him, or deprive him of his practically autonomous
position. He has never opposed any scheme calculated to increase
the material interests of Great Britain in his territory, though, of
course, he drives as good a bargain as he can when leasing land,
.etc. .. . ..... .....
Relations with the Persian Government. —Although it is danger
ous and misleading to make comparisons it may be said of the Shaikh
that, from an administrative point of view, his position is not unlike
that of some rulers of native states in India. The Customs, Posts,
and Telegraphs are managed by the Persian Government, but the
Shaikh has a considerable, if undefined, influence in the administra
tion of the first named, his goodwill being essential to its effective
management. A “ Karguzar, ” or Persian Foreign Office Agent,
resides at Muhammareh, and questions regarding Karun naviga
tion, subjects of Foreign Powers, slaves, etc., are referred to him.
For the rest, however, the administration is practically entirely in
the hands of the Shaikh. ’ ; ! -
. , Relations with other Foreign Powers.—Turkey excepted
tnfia), it may be said that the Shaikh has no relations worthy of
the name with other Foreign Powers. Messrs. Wonckhaus & Co.,
a German firm, have rented a piece of land some 70 yards by 96
half-way between the British Consulate and the town, on' the
right bank of the Karun, on an 8 years’ lease, for 1000 tumans
a year, at the e d of which period all the buildings erected by the
lessee will become the property of the Shmkh. , .