File 1110/1916 Pt 3 'German War: Persia' [‎57r] (118/354)

Colony in Tangistan, I have the honour to forward, for your information, a
Memorandum prepared by Vice-Consul Chick on Tangistan and its people,
and the reasons why severe measures should be taken against them.
I may be of interest to note that the rebellion of the past year is only the
climax of a long series of lawless acts. The tribe has learnt from past
experience that the Persian Government can he flouted with perfect impunity.
Should it learn as a result of this business that the British Government
can be treated in the same manner, I submit that the position of British
officials and other British residents in Bushire will become quite impossible.
In view of the telegrams which I have despatched from time to time, I
need hardly say that I am in hearty accord with Mr. Chick as to the urgent
necessity of punitive measures against the tribe. Provided that the arrears
of revenue were recovered and a fine in addition, the actual method of inflict
ing the punishment and its nature would have to be left to the Commander
of the troops. I am informed that a small mobile force of two battalions
infantry, one or two squadrons of cavalry and two mountain guns would he
quite sufficient to carry out the punishment, and as a matter of fact except
for the guns this force could be provided from the present garrison of Bushire.
I trust that as soon as the state of affairs in Mesopotamia permit, an
expedition against the tribe will be sanctioned.
I have the honour to he,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
A. P. Trevor, Major,
Acting Consul-General.
:Sir C. M. Marling, G.C.B., C.M.G.,
His Britannic Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary,
Tehran.
Beasons for the Punishment of Tangistan and Measures
Suggested.
The case against Tangistan.
The lawlessness of Tangistan has been proverbial in Southern Persia for
half a century, and more. When Bushire was governed by the Arab Shaikhs
there was only one quarter of the town, that farthest from Tangistan, which
did not suffer from their frequent raids. The southern face of the town was
walled, up to a comparatively recent date, as a defence against their depreda
tions : and the townspeople were unable to reside freely in the outlying parts
of the island. Under their Khan, the Tangistanis defended the fort at Beshire
against the British force in 1856, and most of the British casualties occurred
there, mainly owing to misuse of the white flag. In the march of General
Outram’s troops towards Chahkutah and Borasjun, the tribe, however, escaped
all punishment, their district lying to the South.
There are some 25 villages in the interior of the district, none of them,
save Abram, the principal one, possessing more than 200 habitations at the
present time, and most of them less than 50 j in addition there are a dozen
small hamlets on the coast. But the population has from long ago been made
up of different tribes, who are most prone to fight against one another, and
cherish blood feuds : one village will be on most bitter terms with its neigh
bour a rifle-shot away : and in many cases the same tribe, in the same village,
has split into settlements hostile to each other, and every opportunity is taken
to pay back old scores.