Page 106 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

4 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN CIULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

draught suitable to the shallow waters that surround the island, and
then, landing unobserved, to indulge in indiscriminate pillage. Hopes
of thus easily enriching themselves induced some of the lawless tribe of
the Beni-Hnjar to plan an attack on Bahrein during the past autumn
when no English vessel of war lay in the harbour. Foiled in their first
attempt when they embarked from the eastern coast of Guttur and put
to sea, by the appearance of a vessel of the Bombay Marine which put a
stop to the course of piracy they had commenced, as a sort of diver-
t me meat m the way, they turned their attention towards an expedi­
tion by land from Zobarah and trusted, if successful iu obtaining pos­
session of that fortress, to be able to elude the vigilance of English
cruisers and take the unfortunate Bahreinecs unawares. Zobarah how­
ever was occupied by tribes in alliance with the Chief of Bahrein, and
the brave little garrison gallantly defended themselves against their
assailants who were ultimately repulsed and completely routed. It is of
course not absolutely certain whether these marauders, if they had ob­
tained possession of the position they coveted, would have ventured to
attack territory under British protection so long as a vessel of war lay
off the island, but it is undoubted that their presence there would have
been a standing menace to the security of Bahrein and would have caused
great inconvenience. This threatened invasion was a source of great
disquietude and alarm to the Chief and his people, but when the attempt
proved abortive and an English vessel of war appeared on the scene,
they began to breathe more freely. .Affairs have now assumed a more
favourable aspect, but so long as bodies of lawless Bedouins remain on
the adjacent mainland ever ready to avail themselves of an opportunity
to cross over to the island, there can be no permanent security for Bah­
rein nor freedom from anxiety in the mind of its Ruler. It is a matter
of regret that the resources of the country are not developed as fully as
they could and would be under a firmer Ruler and more enlightened
administration.

Coast from Kxtir (Guttur) to the Shalt-el-A*'ab.
No alteration has taken place in the status of these provinces which
still remain under Turkish control and are occupied at points by Turkish
troops.
Persian Coast.
A general description of this part of the country with particulars
regarding the form of Government existing, the names of the various
Chiefs, and information concerning the extent of their territories, will
he found in last year's Report. The serious notice taken of former irre­
gularities at sea has produced a marked beneficial effect.
Ilajco Jaber Khan, the Chief of Mahommerab, though according to
report past 90 years of age, governs his district with all the vigour of
youth, and his earnest endeavours to promote the welfare of his subjects
afford a pleasing contrast to the stolid indifference to all advancement
which is characteristic of so many oriental rulers. The deepening of the
Karoon River for the purpose of extending steam communication to
Shuster, most desirable project as it undoubtedly is for expediting the
transit of Central Persian produce which is now carried by the tedious