Coll 30/200 ‘Persian Gulf. Tour of Political Resident from Bahrein to Muscat in L. T. Nearchus.’ [‎18r] (36/133)

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a free supply from him in order to Besell it themeel'veB*
The local inhabitants do not of course receive any treatment
whatever*
12* The coast line of the Bandar Abbae Consulate area
covers about 550 miles, or roughly the area from Ushant to
the German border, and extends as far as but not including
Jiwani. Mr* Rogers has been at considerable pains to link
up his coast watching organisations with those in Cwadur aid
British Baluchistan, and has covered some 10,000 miles since
last March* The main difficulties here, as on the Batinah,
consist of slow communications, and unless and until an adequate
launch is provided the work cannot be fully effective* This
has been taken up separately* In the meantime it is hopad
that by establishing close relatioiiS with the local sardars
and headmen IttMg timely information will be received of aiy
enemy agents attempt to secure a footing on shore*
I'dm The following morning we arrived at Jask and were
met by Captain Ahmed, the officer of the Indian Signal Corps
now in charge of the wireless station* we proceeded to the
lines of the IUA*F* levies who appeared to me surprisingly
smart and apparently well content with their work* The men are
almost entirely Baluchis from British Kekran, and are officered
by Arabs from the Ira<i levies, ehich is not a very happy
arrangement* Hone of the British officers speak Baluchi or
Brahul and I suggested that thqy obtain the loan of one or
two officers from the Mekran levy Corps* This unit had given
some trouble by marrying local women, contrary to Persian
law, but the officer in charge of the unit informed me that
it had now been prohibited* The R*a*F* had contemplated
posting a second Company here from units that were being dis
banded on the Truoial Coast, and this has now been agreed to
on the understanding that the menwlll wear pugrees and not
Arab dress* Actually they will be mainly of lersian origin
Which is very helpful in collecting Information regarding the
surrounding country* So far these levies have lost no
rifles, and it Is to be hoped that their good luck will
oonti nue«
14* I then returned to the town where Captain Ahmed
had invited the local officials to meet us* Ifreir complaints
regarding supplies had been met by the recent despatch of
grain from Bus hire, which curiously enough crossed or very
nearly crossed some grain despatched up Gulf from Chahbar*
They complained bitterly of the absence of rice, and 1
suggested to Mr* Rogers that this might be sent from Buehire*
This has now been arranged* The same shortage of piece goods
existed here, and equally the prohibition upon their sale,
in faot trade was at a standstill* Jask, curiously enough,
has no medical officer whatever, and if aqyone is taken 111
he has the choice between death or an early transfer to Bandar
Abbas* A recent epidemic of smallpox in this area had been
dealt with by an R*A*F. dootor who wae flown over from Sharjah
to carry out mass: vaccination, and his visit had been gre&tly
appreciated*
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