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37
the Shah. The coast road and bridges are justifiable expenditure, but the
wastage on such items as the Chalus Road, the new port at Deh Nou and the
huge hotels in course of erection along the coast is immense.
334. The financial stringency and the stagnation of trade must have
increased the general discontent in the country, but this is not yet vocal and
cannot be considered to have reached dangerous proportions. Except in East and
South-East Persia the country was quiet and security good. It was probably this
feeling of strength and of the weakness of the now almost disarmed tribes that
had led the Shah late in the previous year to order the arrest of the Bakhtiari
Khans (see paragraphs 443-451 of the annual report for 1933). These unfor
tunates languished in jail during most of the year, though Mirza Ibrahim Khan
Qawam (Qawam-ul-Mulk), who was incarcerated at the same time, was released
early in the year without trial and, so far as is known, without explanation. The
ex-Minister of War, Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Asad, died in prison in March. Nothing further was
heard of the other victims until the end of November, when the press announced
that eight persons had been executed for treason and rebellion. Twenty others
were condemned to varying terms of imprisonment and eight acquitted. Of those
sentenced to death, only four were Bakhtiaris, the remainder being members of
the Boir-Ahmedi, Qashqai and Mamassani tribes, who had taken some part
against the Government in the troubled year 1929-30.
335. None of the proceedings of the military tribunal were published, so no
light has been thrown on the accusations or the trials. On the whole, however, it
appears certain that this wholesale punishment was not the result of any recent
plot, but was due to the fact that the Shah at last felt himself strong enough to
deal drastically with all who had had any part in the 1929 rebellion, pardons
notwithstanding. The most independent of the tribes has now been drastically
punished, without, be it noted, any repercussions and, while the Shah has shown
that no reliance can be placed on his safe-conduct, the security of the dynasty has
perhaps been furthered.
336. Throughout the year the Valiahd remained at school near Lausanne.
He was visited during the summer by his mother, the Queen, who travelled via
Russia, Poland and Germany. She was accompanied by her two daughters and
her youngest son.
(B) Officials, &c.
(1) Cabinet.
337. Feroughi’s Cabinet continued in office throughout the year, the only
ministerial changes being as follows :—
Muhammad Khan Nakhjevan (Amir Muvassaq) was appointed Acting
Minister of War on the 5th August, thus filling the vacancy caused by Asad’s
imprisonment and death.
Nizam-ud-Din Khan Hikmat (Mushar-ud-Dowleh) became Minister of
Posts and Telegraphs on the 2nd October, in succession to Doulatshahi, who
died at his post.
(2) Governors-General and Governors.
338. The principal changes during the year were as follows :—
Khorasan .—Mirza Fathullah Khan Pakravan (Amir-i-Arfa) was
appointed in October.
Azerbaijan.-^MivzSi Khalil Khan Fahimy (Fahim-ul-Mulk) was
appointed in February.
Mazanderan. —Mirza Agha Khan Divan-Begi was appointed in October.
Kurdistan .—Asadullah Mirza Shams-ul-Mulk Arai was appointed in
October.
(3) Diplomatic Appointments Abroad.
339. The following changes took place :—
London .—Mirza Hussein Khan Ala (Mu’in-ul-Vizareh) was appointed
Minister in July.