File 1110/1916 Pt 3 'German War: Persia' [‎59r] (122/354)

On the other hand, it is unthinkable that a great Empire should make
terms with an outlawed village headman with a few hundred followers, merely
because he holds a few British captives in his hands, when the British force
only 25 miles away is five or six times more numerous. It is certain that
such terms would insist on Zair Khidar and his accomplices being guaranteed
from all punishment by both the Persian and British Governments, and
on his being again granted the Zabitship of Tangistan.
The result would be disastrous to both Governments. The Tangistanis
would be able to dictate to the Governor of Bushire, to raid and smuggle as
they liked and to pay back old scores against the loyal tribal districts. The
effect would spread over the whole region: and, instead of order being
restored, districts now loyal to a certain degree would refuse to pay revenue,
and imitate Tangistani methods.
The position would be intolerable for British officials and traders. Unless
a regiment or more of British troops were kept as a permanent guard, the
Besidency officials would hardly be safe from attack, or robbery in their
houses, by tribesmen, w r ho would be sure of immunity from punishment. In
fact, a loop in the cable, and the removal of the Besidency to Kharg
Island as in 1838-184^, would be far more satisfactory, and dignified. To
agree to terms in Persian eyes w r ould mean to be beaten, and Bushire v r ould
be treated accordingly : a renewal of friendly intercourse is not understood
by lawless Tangistani tribesmen: and Bushire is exposed to the interior for
6-8 miles on its eastern side.
It does not do to forget that whatever success we have in the
Mesopotamia or European campaigns w r ill be of little interest to tribal
Persian : they see no further than their own immediate environment, and
their own hostilities. The rebel chiefs have all along spread the news
assiduously of the losses inflicted by them on our troops “ 655 men killed at
the landing at Dilwar ”, “not a man w T as able to return to the boats ”, ten and
twenty men killed in each raid, etc. We have been loaded with opprobrium
and we possess the letters of Zair Khidar and Ins ally, telling 1 ersians that
« we consider the best of their (English) Generals worse than dogs
Suggested punishment.
With the situation as it is to-day in Central Persia, and beyond the
coast range, opinion is unanimous in Bushire, and in the friendly districts
surrounding the rebel tribesmen, that it would be an easy matter for the
British force, to deal effectively and decisively with Tangistan, without the
least chance of any complications arising with langistan.
The greatest possible service would be done to the Persian Government,
and the restoration of order: the Persian officials in Bushire and Ears desire it,
and it would be easy to give the Persian Government a share in it.
To secure a lasting and tranquillizing effect on Tangistan the following
objectives should be attained :
(II Zair Khidar should be captured and executed by the Persian
Governor without delay. Bis two sons, and his other relations
and principal supporters, who are all known by name, should be
deported, and imprisoned for several years, in some suitable
place in the Gulf. Bis fort and village should be destroyed.
(2) Each villa^e in Tangistan should be surrounded, and the headmen
V ^ required 0 under pain of drastic measures, to surrender a number
of rifles, based on the list, attached to this. The upper stories
of forts removed.
(3) The Governor, or Einancial Agent, of the Ports Government
present with the force, should require each village to pay then
and there revenue for the current year, and past year, according
to the list given herewith.
(4) Two principal inhabitants from every village, selected from the
names in the list attached, should be removed as hostages tor the
good conduct of the village, or settlement, and deported to