"ملخص لعلاقات الحكومة البريطانية مع قبائل وشيوخ عربستان. بقلم الملازم أ. ت. ويلسون، القائم بأعمال القنصل في عربستان" [و‎‎٢‎٣] (١٤٣/٥٠)

31
In September 1909, the Shaikh’s differences with the Customs again
became prominent, and at intervals in 1910 friction occurred over minor
points of administration.
In October 1910, the replacement of Shaikh Abdul Husain, a Persian
subject naturalised in British India, by a Persian from the Mohammerah
Customs, was contested by the Shaikh on the ground that he had not been
consulted or afforded an opportunity of looking into the case, but in this case,
as in others, the Shaikh, though loud in his protestations of resentment at the
action of the Customs, has exhibited a disinclination to press his objections
home, or to carry his contentions to their logical conclusion. Successive
Customs officials have not been allowed to take advantage of his supineness,
and have steadily consolidated their position and contrived gradually to
render the most important parts of his farman inoperative.
Annex 1.
Copy of a letter from Mirza Yantz, Mudir of Customs, Mohammerah, to Sar ar Arfa’,
dated 27th Rabi-ul-Avval 1323 (= June 1903).
I much regret to have been unable to meet you, I hope you will soon come.
Regarding a letter received this week from the Ministry of Customs, and
which gave me great satisfaction, as I have obtained what I desired.
The purport is as follows :—
In accordance with the order of His Imperial Majesty none of the
Princes or the principal officers of State nor even the Wall Ahd
or the Prime Minister are free from liability to pay Customs
dues and must pay duties like every one else. But in view of
the great assistance that the Sardar Arfa has given to the
Customs we have made him Director General of the ’Arabistan
Customs that he may be free of Customs duties, that is in respect
of household necessaries and foodstuff other than tea and wines.
As this is not a public matter no official order on the subject
will be issued, but goods on arrival must be examined as usual
on arrival in all cases.
Annex. 2.
Translation of letter No. 1883, dated 22nd Burj-i-Aqrab Lui-il (1903) from Mirza
Yantz, Director of Customs, Mohammerak to Sardar Arfa’.
Two days ago a telegram was received signed by M. Lavers on behalf
of the Ministry of Customs, and I append a translation therefore and
would ask you to be good enough to send me a reply before the mail leaves,
and to enable me to wire a reply to Tehran.
Translation.
Mirza Yantz, Mohammerah,
Tell the Governor if does not pay the office dues, etc., on his dates and all exports
and imports very severe steps against him will be taken by the Government.
MIEZA YANTZ.
Note.—(1) A reply was written to the effect that the Shaikh absolutely refused to pay and he 1 d to his far-
man. Copies of this answer were sent to the Atabeg and the Ain-ud-Dauleh and shortly afterwards the Moham
merah Customs Mudir wrote to say that the objection in question was removed.
(2) The above letter was shown to Lieutenant V/ilson by llaji Rais in December 1910.