File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [‎170v] (355/494)

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Major H. W. Pierpoint, O.B.E., arrived at Bushire on the 23rd Feb
ruary ; he will eventually relieve the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Surgeon, Major A. S. M. Peebles
I.M.S., who is shortly proceeding on leave.
The Hon’ble the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. proceeded on tour in R. I. M. S. “ Lawrence ” O
on the 12th February to Mohammerah returning to Bushire on the 25th February.
The Persian Government have protested against the agreement between the
Anglo-Persian Oil Company and Haidar Khan, C.I.E., of Hayat Baud which
was concluded on the 6th October 1921. The Persian Government contend that
Haidar Khan has no right to the territory of Hayat Baud, which belongs either
to Government or the people.
Work on the Basht-i-Qil section of the road from Benaweh commenced at the
beginning of the month, starting from the plain above Basht-i-Qil and proceeding
in the direction of Mishun. At first coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. did not come in as fast as was expected
and one or two of the Kashkuli Khans were suspected of not assisting recruiting
as well as they might, possibly with a view to forcing the hand of the Oil Company
to give them contracts for the construction of that section of the road which runs
through their territory.
The portable rig was erected on the well site at Chashmeh-i-Naft during the
month, and a start made on actual drilling.
The Persian Government having instructed the Karguzar to visit Basht-i-
Qil and report on the Oil Company’s operation in that area, he left Bushire for
Genaweh on the morning of the 25th February accompanied by Mr. Sharp, the
local Manager and Mr. Clegg the Company’s Political Representative with the
Kashkulis. It is looped that his visit will do no harm, and that he may even submit
a favourable report,to his Government regarding the Company’s activities.
Kashkulis .—Nasrullah Khan Barehshuri has written to the Kashkuli Khans,
that, in the event of inter-Kashgai trouble, he and his half of the Barehshuris would
like to make their fortunes identical with those of the Kashkulis. He has also
written to Asad Khan Babui (Boir Ahmedi) in the same strain. It is understood
that he seeks this union to counterbalance the combination of the other section of
Barehshuris under Ayaz Kikha with the Farsimaidanis under Masih Khan. It is
understood that a non-commital reply has been sent by Hadi Khan on behalf of
the Kashkulis which leaves the matter open to further discussion.
Kerman. (16th January — 13th February.)
The Governor-General has been obtaining telegrams of satisfaction for de
spatch to lehran from the priests, notables, and merchants, etc. In many cases
people have been forced to sign these telegrams against their will.
A number of ezdi merchants were proposing to send a telegram to the Prime
Minister stating that the telegram of satisfaction was obtained from them against
their will, but the Governor-General heard of it and sent for the merchants and
induced them to cam el their telegram and prepare and despatch one in his favour
instead.
1 he Governor-General is apparently now becoming unpopular with the
Bemocrats also.
The Governor-General has, in view of the scarcity of grain in the town, tele
graphed to the Prime Minister asking that the Financial Agent should be authorized
to sell to bakers the Government grain at present stored in the godowns.
The Bemocrats of Kerman have sent a telegram to the Prime Minister request
ing that Hussain Khan Buchaqchimay be permitted to return to his home in the
Sirjan district (vide Summary for the month of October 1921).
The Governor-General telegraphed to the Prime Minister and the Minister of
War suggesting that the task of raising an army in the Kerman Province should
be entrusted to him. He has received a reply that as all arrangements in this
connection are in the hands of Amir Lashkar at Isfahan, the Governor-General
should communicate direct with him on the subject.