File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎271r] (546/804)

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sub-Enclosure No, 2.
Dated Junaghua, the 3rd September 1916.
From— Captain E. Neol, His Majesty's Vice-Consul, Ahwaz,
To— G. Graham^ Esq., His Majesty's Consul-General, Ispahan.
I have thought it advisable to write to you demi-officially in regard to
the matter dealt with in your despatch*
• Sab-Enciosure *o. 1. ^ 16j before addressing you officially
on the subject.
The Bakhtiaris frankly acknowledge that they interfere in Earaydun, but
*ye quite ready to stop doing so if we tell them.
As luck would have it, I met the other day Ahmed Quli Khan and his
brother Muazam-ul-Mulk, who are the leaders of the “ Eouj-i-Earaydun
They tell me that they held the Deputy Governorship of Earaydun for four
rears under the Zill-es-Sultan when they used, as a matter of course, to refer
all disputes on the Earaydun border to the Khans for settlement. They tell
me that this state of affairs has now crystalized from long custom so that it
represents under present conditions the only possible modus vivendi. Moreover,
they say that the Zill fully recognised this even in his own time. As an illustra
tion they quote a recent incident when Mamours sent from both the Deputy
Governor and from Ispahan were unable to effect the release of Haji Mohomed
Hassan of Siftgun who had been seized by Quli Khan Tukhm-i-Abui. Einally,
in despair the Earaydun authorities, although both the individuals concerned
were Earaydunis, appealed to the Bakhtiari Khans who sent Mamous. ine
latter had no difficulty in carrying out the duties entrusted to them.
I have not had time as yet to make further enquiries, but quote the above
to show that there would appear to be more in this matter than at first meets
the eye. # .
Guli Khan and Muazam, who are Earaydunis and not Bakhtiaris, assure
me that if the Khans refuse their good offices, the whole of the Eraydun district
will immediately relapse into the same state of anarchy that characterises the
bulk of the Ispahan province. It would seem to me that in view of the noto
rious incompetence of the Zill-es-Sultan’s Government to maintain even a
pemblance of order, and the comparative security existing in Bakhtiari limits,
it is hardly the time to ask the Bakhtiaris to withdraw from one of the few
districts of Ispahan which is more or less quiet, when the Ispahan Govern
ment have no machinery to replace that which they wish to get rid of. ^
Another point to b& considered is that we are continually asking the
Bakhtiaris to send escorts into Ispahan territory to do the work of the ^paban
Government. I refer to escorts for British travellers and to my recent
despatch of sowars to follow up the Germans.
1 hope to come into Ispahan some time this month when I can discuss
;this matter more fully with you.
Sub’Enclosure No. 3.
Copy of Ispahan telegram to Minister, No. 283, dated the 15th September 1916.
Noel, who arrived here on the 14th of September, wishes to 4 isci } ss ^
me question of permitting loyal Bakhtiaris to gam a footing m Ispahan
territory more particularly in the Earaydun district where they claim to hav
exercised jurisdiction in the Zill-es-Sultan s time and seek to do so now.
Noel is inclined to view such intervention favourably on the ground tha
the Bakhtiaris can maintain order, whereas the Governor-General o spa a
impotent. ,,
I am at a disadvantage inasmuch as I have no information as o
reasons for the recall of the Zill-es-Sultan whether ^ f'fJ ^nrotlct
Russians, whether we are pledged to give him our full support and to protect