Page 604 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

10 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

8.—PERSIAN BALUCHISTAN.
During the absence from Persia of His Majesty tbe Sbab last summer, a
serious insurrection occurred in this province.
It appears to have arisen from tbo cruelty and misconduct of tbe Governor
of Baluchistan, Abul Fath Khan, who seized several Baluch Chiefs in a trea­
cherous manner and offered outrage to their women.
For some time tbe chief town, Barapur, was in tbe hands of tbo insurgents,
and tbo Persian Governor besieged in a neighbouring fort.
Acting on information conveyed through Her Majesty’s Legation, tbe
Amin-ul-Mulk, who had beeh loft in charge of affairs at Tehran, ordered the
Persian Governor of Baluchistan to he deposed, and Sirteep Zeyn-el-Abedeen was
appointed to relieve him. Every opportunity was taken by the British officials
to urge the disaffected Baluch Chiefs to avoid committing themselves to revolt,
and eventually quiet was restored. >
The petty Governments are still in a somewhat unsettled condition, and it
is difficult to ascertain what persons are really in authority in the various dis­
tricts.
About Jask, disturbances have been created by certain relations of Meer
Abdul Nubbee, who is still a prisoner in the hands of the Persian authorities at
Bushire.
9.—SLAVE TRAFFIC.
A considerable number of fresh African slaves yearly reach the northern
coasts of Arabia, both by sea and by overland routes. During the past year a
few Africans were liberated from slavery through the exertion of our Native
Agents. Three were brought by sea to Umm-el-Kawain, and being demanded,
were handed over to the Residency Agent by the Chief and liberated.
At Shaigah, a Nakboda attempted to carry two female Africans in slavery
to the Persian Coast, but tbe Agent interfered, and eventually both women were
sent to Muscat -and liberated.
In September information was received that seven fresh African slaves had
been imported to Lingah from Soar. Every effort was made to get hold of these
persons and have the importer punished, but the action and attitude of the Per­
sian officials completely frustrated all attempts. Curiously enough, the dallal,
who imported the slaves, died immediately after the inquiry was instituted,
from the sting of a hornet.
His Excellency the Saad-ul-Mulk subsequently issued a notification to the
effect that persons engaging in slave traffic will be punished, and the farmer of
customs was enjoined to bring all cases of importation to the notice of the
authorities.
In October the Residency Agent at Bahrain reported that persons, returned
from tbe Mecca pilgrimage, had brought a larger number of slaves than usual,
some by sea and some by land. This was brought to the notice of the Chief of
Bahrain, who acted loyally and traced 15 slaves, S males and 7 females, who had
been freshly imported. The Residency steamer Lawrence was despatched to
Bahrain for these Africans, who were manumitted at Bushire.

10.—ROYAL NAVY VESSELS.
Her Majesty* • ships Kingfisher and Sphinx were stationed in tbe Golf. Com­
manders Lindsay and Boldero, each in turn being senior naval officer on the
station. Her Majesty's ships Griffon and Redpole visited the Gulf on special
service. Her Majesty*! ship Mariner, Commander Arbuthnot (senior officer),
joined the station at the end of March 1890.