File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [‎212v] (439/494)

A Mohammerah merchant is said to Lave obtained permission from the Central
Government in Tehran to ply motor traffic on the Upper Karun between Ahwaz
and Shushtar. One motor boat has already been sent up stream to take sounding
in order to ascertain how near it is possible to take a loaded boat to Shushtar. &
Dizful— (29th May — 18th June).
The Revenue Department has received telegraphic instructions to suspend all
payments for the present, but no reasons for this extraordinary order have been
given. The matter is very serious as unless sanction for the payment of the forces
lor the preservation of la wand order can be obtained they will no doubt help them
selves and the collection of revenue, dependent as it is on this force, will naturally
come to a standstill. After a great deal of persuasion the Pishkar-i-Maliyeh agreed
to make the necessary payments from the revenue provided the Governor-General
accepted full responsibility for his action. This the Governor consented to do, but
on the Pishkar being informed of this by His Majesty’s Vice-Consul he vouchsafed
the astonishing statement that the total balance standing to the credit of the
Revenue Department was Krans 2, centimes 80 !
The Governor-General and the Deputy Governor are, however, busily engaged
in collecting revenues from all possible sources and state that they will have funds
available to meet this month’s expenses and that rather than face the disorder
which will ensue if payments are not made they intend to make payments and
accept the consequences of their action, if necessary, afterwards.
( The Persian Telegraph Department took over Dizful and Shushtar offices with
. equipment intact on the 16th instant. The new operators appear to be well
acquainted with their work and so far there have been no complaints.
Isfahan— (22nd May — 19th June).
The news of the downfall of Saiyid Zia-ud-Din caused profound regret to most
/ people and certainly to all who have their country’s interest at heart and it was gen-
\ erally said that no voice would have been raised against the Prime Minister’s regime
if he had not attempted to go too far in the matter of taxation. But the feeling
among Bakhtiaris and mullas and others who considered that their interests were
I likely to suffer from the Prime Minister’s comprehensive scheme of reforms was
otherwise, and these classes including the Governor-General appear much relieved
and elated at his removal.
The appointment of Kawam-us-Sultaneh as Prime Minister has evoked no
(nthusiasm as to the capabilities of any Cabinet he may succeed in forming. The
Governor-General, millets, merchants, landowners and the princes of Zil-es-Sultan
Umily seem for the moment quite satisfied with the appointment, but all
disinterested persons regret Zia’s fall.
The I rime Minister s telegram outlining his policy was received in Isfahan
on the 8th June. The comment on it is that it is identical to the late Prime
Minister s programme. Ihere is a feeling of uncertainty and uneasiness, and every
one is aw aiting news from Tehran. There are rumours of Cabinet crisis and that
the Bolsheviks are on their way to Tehran.
The Shah is reported to have ordered the Valiahd to leave for Europe on
account of his supposed intrigues with Saiyid Zia-ud-Din against the Shah.
As a result of the demonstrations and telegrams to Tehran orders have been
received that the new regulations with regard to taxes, etc., should be suspended
tor the present.
Orders have been received from Tehran by the officer in charge of the gend-
aimene t hat all the property belonging to Farman Farma recently confiscated at
Isfahan should be returned to his Agent here except arms and ammunition.
The Police have received no pay for the last three months.
-^ r * Assistant Superintendent, Indo-European Telegraph Department,
s a an, who returned on the 9th instant from his inspection tour on the Shiraz road
icports bands of robbers roaming about though he was not himself molested. He