Page 174 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

0 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN QULP POLITICAL

Gbarcyfa and Bishnn, on which tho men of Zobrirah marched to the aid of Bialina. Ilamad-
bin-AbdulIah then attacked Zobarah, plundering it and killing about twelve of the inhabitant*.
Hamad on bis aide lost eight men. Ghareyfs and Brihna both fell into the hands of Ilamnd-
bin-Abdullah.
10. In May the Government Agent reported that a raoollah, residing at Shargah, named
Hoosain-bin-Tcmccm, was busying himself in favour of tho toi-ditant Mnhdi of tho Soudan,
advising the people of Shargah to join the Mahdi at Mecca, and causing some excitement
amongst them. Tho Agent was instructed to kike no notice of the moollah’s sayings, but to
caution the Chief of Shargah that he would bo held responsible for any annoyance befalling
British subjects ensuing ou such meddlesome attempts at agitation.
11. In October, u person calling himself Ahmcd-bin-Muliamniad, Saif-cl-Ialara, and repre-
sunting himself to be a Shcrcef of Sana, visited the pirate coast ports and distributed some
presents of armour, shields, fee. It was thought that ho was an emissary of the Mahdi,
12. Tho Chief of Debay, Hashar-bin-Maktoom, Al-bu-Falasa, received a visit from
Nislr-bin-Mubarik, the Bahrain Sheikh, now residing in
Debtjr.
El-ICatr. Narir was accompanied by tho headmen of
the Bcni-IIajir and Monasir tribes of ICatr, and bis object was to effect a reconciliation
between the Om«m and Katr Bedouins.
1:3. In July some Debay men left for the Ked Sea, giving out that they intended joining
the Mahdi if he turned out to be the predicted prophet.
14. Sheikh Zaid-bin-Khalifah, Chief of Abu Dbabbi and head of the Beni Y6s, is
the most powerful aud influential of the pirate coast
Aba DbsbbL
Chiefs.
13. In return for three horses presented to the Sultan of Muscat, Sheikh Zaid received a
sum of Bs. 2,250 and a present of cloth.
16. During the year the Abu Dbabbi districts were undisturbed.
17. The various Chiefs on the pirate coast behaved on the whole in a satisfactory manner;
but the Chief of Debay laid himself opea to censure by allowing newly-run slaves from Africa
to be lauded and sold at his port. The steps taken in the matter will be mentioned under the
head of “Slavery."
3.—BAHRAIN.
18. Mauy successive years of tranquillity aud security have, as might be expected, brought
increase of wealth and prosperity to thes-e islands. The pa8t year was no exception; and
although the date crop suffered somewhat from unfavourable condition of weather, commerce
was active and the pearl banks yielded a good return.
19. The security of the seas was maintained, and the rulers of Bahrain preserved friendly
relations with all their neighbours. Presents were exchanged between Sheikh 'Eesfi-bin-Ali
and Sheikh Jasim of EbBida, and the Jia'eem tribe continue iu close friendly relations with
the Bahrain Chiefs.
20. Sheikh Ahmcd-bin-Ali, brother of the Chief, visited Busrah in September. He had
intended to go to Kowait, but gave up that trip.
21. A communication having been received from the Resident at Aden, mooting the
question of the release of Sheikh Muhainmad-bin-Khalifah, the Resident consulted Sheikh
'Eesi personally ou the subject, and found that the Chief was entirely opposed to such a step,
and considered it would lead to disturbance of the peace of his islands.

4.—NEJD, EL-HASA, EL-KATE.
22. For some years a desultory warfare has been carried on from time to time between tbs
Wahabi Amirs and the Amir of Hayel or Jebcl S ha mar, Muhamraad-bin-Rashid. These
hostilities seem to have on the whole resulted favourably for the Sharaar Chief. Some reports
attributed his success to tho possession of a number of Martiui rifles, but according to all roceni
travellers the organization of the Shamar is superior.
23. About May last, reports came to the effect that Abdullah-ibn-Peysal, the Riadh
Amir, bad made overtures to tho Shamar Chief, which the latter was disposed to listen
provided Abdallah's nephew, Muhammad-bin-Su'ood, were a party to the proposed peace. The