Page 418 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

6 ADMINISTRATION RETORT OF THK PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

away on tlio pearl banks. The Umm-el-Kawain force entered Himriyah, which they pillaged
and fired, earning off twenty-five slavoa and some cattle and booty. Tho Chief of Himriyah
shut himself up in his fort, and the TJmm-el-Kawain force withdrew. A few man and
women wore Killed on this occasion.
To avenge this disastor, Shaikh Hashar-bin-Maktum, tho Chiof of Dobay, took the field,
in June, with 85 horsemen and 400 camel-riders, and proceeded against Umm-el-Kawain]
being joined on the way by contingents from Himriyahard Ajraan. When in sight of Umm-
el-Kawain and awaiting expected reinforcements, the Chief of Himriynh proposed to destroy
certain date-groves belonging to Umra-el-Kawain, but to this tho Debay Chief would not
consent. The Himriyah Chief then proceeded to mako petty raids towards Umm-cl-Kawain,
and falling in with two men of the Beni-Katab made them prisoners and slew a man of the
Alali tribe, who was leaving Umm-cl-Kawain. Tho Chief of Debay disapproving these pro­
ceedings broke up his camp and returned home.
The ex-Chief of Shargah, Sliaikh Salim-bin-Sultan, thought the time was favourable for
an attempt to regain his position at Shargah, and visited Ajman with this view. His hopes
being disappointed he returned to the island of Bu-Musa.
In June a feud broke out between Shaikh Muhammad-bin-Ali of the El-Noeym of El-
Bereymi and the El-Jowasim, owing to the Noeymi's dissatisfaction at his treatment when on
a visit to the Chief of Shargah. Some raids were made by the El-Noeym towards Shargah,
and an attack on that town or on Ras-el-Kheimah was apprehended.
In September, Shaikh Sakar-bin-Sultan of Shargah proceeded on a visit to the Chief of
Debay to rerew the treaty of alliance they had formed, and to endeavour to induce the Debay
Chief to join with him in attacking Ajman.
The cause of the renewal of hostility between Shargab and Ajman was as follows :—
A respectable merchant of Ajman named Khalifnh-bin-Masabhnh, being displeased with
the Chief of Ajman removed to Shargah, whereupon the Ajmsn Chief seized Khalifah’s
house and property, and detained his boat and Crew prohibiting the latter from joining
him at Shargah. The Shargah Chief remonstrated, and requested Ajman either to allow
the crew to join Khalifah or to pay the amount of the latter's claim against them.
This request not being complied with, divers began to desert from Shargah to Ajman
and vice versa. Shargah having consulted Umm-el-Kawain as to the propriety of attack­
ing Ajman, the Chief of Umm-el-Kawain tried to effect a reconciliation, advising Ajman
to settle Khalirah-bin-llasabbah's just claims, but the Ajman Chief declined, and sought
the alliance of Umm-el-Kawain, hut without success. Eventually, by the intervention of the
Residency Agent, the crew of Khalifah-bin-Masabbah’s boat were restored to him.
On the 22nd November 1886, Shaikh Hashar-bio-Maktum, Chief of Debay, died. Hie
choice of his successor lay between the late Chief's son Maktum and his brother Rashid.
Each had supporters of nearly equal numbers, but eventually the elders of the tribe prevailed
on the people to decide the matter peaceably, and Shaikh Rasbid-bin-Maktum was elected
Chief. The election being open to no objection was recognised by the Readout.
The pearl fishery on the Oman Coast having been ansa fcisfactory, and the last take of
mother-o'-pearl in the Red Sea having been considerable, some 200 boats have gone from
Oman to the Red Sea for this season's fishing with more numerous crews than usual.
3.—BAHRAIN.
These islands have enjoyed peace and prosperity during the past year, and there is no­
thing of interest to add to their history.
The Chief, Shaikh Ecsa-bin-Ali, continues to maintain intimate friendly relations with
the Na'eem tribe of the mainland, to whom, and to other Arabs of the mainland, he makes
yearly presents of considerable value. Indeed a large portion of the revenues of Bahrain are
dissipated in this manner without any ostensible compensating advantage.
’ In the early part of the year the Moteserrif of El-Hasa wrote to Shaikh ®esa
him of having caused the secession of certain Arab tribes from the Governor of El-Bidda, a
also of having aided the Chief of Abn-Dhebbi in his movements against El-Katr. al ’
Eesa forwarded this letter to the Acting Resident, who advised him to reply in oou
terahs that the reports which had reached the Turkish Governor were unfounded.
In the summer, robberies were committed on Bahrain boats in the Turkish po o
Katif, and remonstrances were duly made. These annoyances have ceased of late.
In August Abdullab-bin-Sn'ood-bin-Feyeal visited Bahrain, probably in hopes of receiv-
jag presents.from the Chief,