Page 13 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

RESIDENCY AND MASK AT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1899.1900. 5

important questions of Muhammadan and looal commercial law have been
raised in consequence. The Sultan of Maskat and several of the Arab Sheikhs
oro interested m the matter, which seemed likely at one time to give rise to
serious complications, and is, in fact, not yet settled.
8mall-pox has been prevalent on the Arab Coast; but there have not, as
far as I am aware, been any cases of cholera or plague. None of the Truoial
Chiefs have died during the year under report, and there is nothing special to
mention regarding them.
4.—BAHREIN.
In September, a serious outrage was committed on some British Indian
subjects by the Sheikh’s writer, a man named Sharida, who, with his son,
wounded two Banins. The Sheikh fined the culprits fi 1,000, and banished
them from Bahrein.
Considerable difficulties have been experienced in the discharge of cargoes
from the mail steamers of the British Indian Steam Navigation Company, and
much pilfering of property lodged in the Amara or Customs godown has been
complained of.
Aga Muhammad Rahim, our Native News Agent, died at Busbire, where
he had come to obtain medical advice, and Mr. Gaskin, Extra Assistant to the
Resident and Vice-Consul, has been deputed to Bahrein, as a temporary
measure, without vacating his permanent appointment. Aga Muhammad
Rahim had done much useful work for the Residency, but he had been for some
time in failing health, and could not attend properly to his duties.

5.—EL-NEJD.
We have heard very little of the state of affairs in that part of Arabia,
and I would repeat the observation made in last year's report, recommending
that some one should be deputed to travel there and obtain information of
what is going on.
6.—KOWEIT.
I have not been myself to Koweit during the year under report, but it has
been visited occasionally by British men-of-war, and by the R. I. M. S.
Lawrence. The Sheikh appears to have enjoyed good health, and nothing
particular has occurred.
7.—PERSIAN ARABISTAN.
I went to Ahwaz in November, and met Sir H. M. Durand, Her Majesty's
Minister at Tehran, who had travelled tid Ispahan over the new trade route
connecting that place and the Karun river. I was accompanied by Mr. W.
McDouall, Her Majesty’s Vice-Consul, Mohamfnerab, and Mr. A. B. Taylor,
one of the partners of Messrs. Lynch Brothers, who had met the Minister on
his way, was also present. Various questions connected with the navigation
of the Karun and the opening up of the river and land routes were discussed.
Sir Mortimer Durand had interviewed all the leading Bakhtiari Chiefs, through
whoso territory the road passes, and had explained the advantages which would
probably result to them and their people from it, when it is once in full use.
I gathered that the want of forage i9 at present an obstacle! and that the
muleteers, who are now plying on the Ispahan-Shiraz and Busbire route, are
reluctant to adopt a new one, on which it seems doubtful if they will obtain
supplies for themselves, and their animals, and protection against attacks by
the wild mountaineers who inhabit the Bakhtiari country. After a few days
at Ahwaz, Sir H. M. Durand proceeded in the Persian river boat, the Shiuhan,
to Shuster, from which he returned vid Dizful to Tehran. At present
the prospects in Arabistan are exceedingly flourishing, and. if the embargo, on
export of wheat is removed, the prosperity of the district should rapidly
increase.
8.—PARS AND PERSIAN COAST.
The Firman Firma was succeeded as Governor-General of Fars by the
Nizam-ui-Mulk who has remaiued in power throughout the year.