Page 17 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

BU.SIIIRE RESIDENCY FOR 1873-74. 9
them to communicate their wishes and visit the Pasha. The Chiefs
however failed to appreciate these friendly offers.
At Lahsa itself the Turkish troops were inactive as concerns any
onward progress. Sickness carried off a good many. The resident
Arabs complained loudly of oppression on the part of Turkish officials and
soldiery.

Recently a change has come on the policy of Turkey as regards
Tvcjd. All intention of onward conquest from their side is abandoned;
not only so, but it was determined to withdraw the regular troops and
hold Lahsa on a different system. Instead of a Turkish Pasha an Arab
Sheikh, named JBezeeah bin Areyr, of the tribe Beni Khalid, was nomi­
nated Civil Governor of Lahsa. A guard of c< Gendarmes ” or armed
police are to assist the new Governor, but the object is evidently to rely
mainly on the friendly Arabs of the Beni Khalid tribe for the mainte­
nance of the position.
Since the official }*ear closed these measures have been actually
carried out and the Turco-Wababec question has passed into a new
phase tending to diminution of Turkish influence and power in that
province.

(Sd.) E. C. Ross, Lieut.-Col.,
II. B. Jll.’s Poltl. Resell., Persian Gulf.

Report on trade of llie Persian Gulf for 1873.

Collection of Statistics.—It has been so frequently brought to notice
that the means do not exist of obtaining accurate or reliable information
regarding the statistics of trade of the Persian Gulf, either on the Persian
or Arabian side, that it is almost needless to repeat the statement. The
system everywhere obtaining of managiug the Custom Houses, and the
absence of official returns accessible to the public readily account for this
difficulty.

All that can he expected is a collection of as many facts and as close
an approximation to the real truth as circumstances admit.
Without assistance from those who, though of the unofficial class,
are practically interested in estimating commerce, it would he difficult to
obtain much information of value. My obligations in this respect to
gentlemen residing in Bushire are elsewhere mentioned.
Divisions of the trade.—The sea-borne traffic of the Persian Gulf
may be considered as branching in three divisions—

1$/.—The through commerce between Turkish Arabian Ports and
other countries.
2nd.—The trade with the Arabian portion of the Coast of the
Gulf.

B