Page 13 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

RE3IDENCT AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB 18SWL 7

25. The object of Shaikh Eesa'g visit was to make personal representations regarding
the renewal of piracy in Turkish waters, and to ask permission to act, himself, against the
piratical tribes : such action would have involved the landing of Bahrain men on territory under
Turkish occupation, and tho Resident explained to Shaikh Ecsa the ill-feeling and complication,
which such action would necessarily ontail. Tho Chief was also told that the British Govern-
incut was constantly urging the Turkish Government to lake efficient measures to repress
piracy, and the nature of the measures adopted by tho Porte was explained. Shaikh Pcaa saw
the inexpediency of hi* acting in the manner proposer!, awl expressed himself quite satisfied
to leave the mattor in the Resident's hands, for representation to Government*
20. In October the tribe El-Sadah inhabiting El-IIadd of Bahrain, becoming discontented
on account of a quarrel with another tribe, and supposed failure of the Chief of Bahrain to do
them justice, deterraiued to emigrate to Darcin in the Katcef district, and wrote to the Nakeob
at Busrah asking permission to do so, which was accorded. Subsequently, however, Shaikh Ecsa
dissuaded the tribe from carrying out their intention.
27. The pearl divers had fairly good success in 1833.

4.—NEJD, EL-HASA, AND EL-KATR
28. I?cjd.—Although the Government of tho Porte appears to have been under the im­
pression that close relations existed between the British Government and the u Ameer of
Nejd," the fact is that we have no direct communications with the interior of Nejd, and it
is difficult to obtain trustworthy intelligence from that country. Hostilities were kept up
between the Al Su'ood family, of whom Abdullah-bin Feysal is Chief, and the Ameer of
Jfebel Sharaar, Moharumed-ibn-Itasbeed. Both sides appear to have had successes of no great
importance, and the political condition of Nejd lias not suffered any material change.
29. El-llaxa.—In June a vessel of Bahrain was seized, some pirates of the Beni Hajir
tribe, near El-Katecf, and in the affray the Bahraince Nakhoda was wounded. He escaped to
the shore, but subsequently died at Bahrain. Depositions attesting the facts of the case were
prepared and a report of the occurrence forwarded through the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia
to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, by whom a representation was made to the
Porte.
30. El-Katr.—The Kalr coast has been quiet, and Shaikh Jasin-bin-Mohammed Thanee,
though somewhat discontented with his position, has given no cause for complaint.
31. Numerous copies of proclamations, issued in the name of Mohammed Ahmed, the
xoi-disant et Mahdi" of Soudan, have been brought through Arabia to the shores of the Persian
Gulf, and have attracted, of course, much attention. The wording of some of these circulars
shadows forth the purpose of “ the guided one" to lead his followers to the conquest of Egypt
and Arabia- In the latter country there is reason to believe the "Mahdi ” would, if successful,
have the support of large numbers of the population. As in Soudan, the sympathy with the
" Maihdi" is at present more political than religious, the Arabs looking to him with some hope
as the destined instrument who is to restore their independence. An element of religious fer­
vour is by no means wanting, which, according to circumstances, may either die out or be
kindled into a flame.

5.—FARS.
S2. No alteration has occurred in the chief administration of the province of Fare. His
Royal Highness the Zil-es-Sultan exercises chief control over all its districts, with the excep­
tion of Lingah and Bunder Abbass, which forts are placed under the Amecn-es-Sultan, who
has now general control of the Customs Department throughout Persia. The Amceo-es-
Sultdn has an agent, Mohammed Hasan Khan, who is invested with authority over Bunder
Abbass and Liugah, and also has general control of the Custom Houses at those ports and at
Boshire.
33. Under His Royal Highness the Zil-e^-Sultdn, the titular Governor of Shiraz, is his
son, the Jelal-cd-Dowlah, but he boing too young to exeroise authority, the actual administra­
tor of the Government of Fars is His Excellency the Sahib Diwin.
34. In December Ilia Excellenoy the Kowwam-ul-Mulk, one of the most influential men
in Fars, died rather suddenly, and the title liaa since been oonforred on his son, Mohammed
Roza Khan, who was Beyglor-Bcgco, or Mayor of Shiraz. The late Kowwara-ul-Mulk was
brother of tho Sahib Diwan, and had charge of somo of the most productive districts of Far*.
His administration of them was singularly successful.