Page 14 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

0 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL
Qulf Ports.—Lingah lias remained in the hands of the Persians through­
out the year, and nothing special has occurred there. We have been endeavour­
ing to obtain compensation for the losses sustained by the British Indian
subjects during the attack on the place, but up to the present no satisfactory
settlement has been arrived at, and the matter has been referred to Tehran.
Some attention has been drawn of late to the important harbour of Bunder
Abbas, and Lieutenant Hunt, I.S.O., has been appointed Political Assistant and
Her Majesty’s Vice-Consul at that place. Lieutenant Hunt, after landing at
Bunder Abbas on his way up the Gulf, came here to receive instructions for
starting bis Vice-Consulate. He is now living at Bunder Abbas, but will pro­
bably spend much of his time in the interior, as his Consular jurisdiction
extends from Bunder Abbas to Yezd and the trade route will require much
attention.
9.—PERSIAN BALUCHISTAN.
There has not been much to record on this Coast during the year under
report, but the death of Mowladad Khan, who was murdered in June last, has
delayed the settlement of our claims for compensation.
Mr. Sealy visited the Coast when making his final tour of inspection in
December last. He was relieved of his appointment of Director, Persian Gulf
Telegraphs, in the beginning of January by Mr. H. Wbitby-Srnith, formerly of
the Indian Telegraph Department, who has recently been up the Gulf in
the Patrick Stewart.
Mr. Wbitby-Smith is at present visiting the Makran Coast on his way to
Karachi, after having discussed all matters of importance with me at Bushire.
I have not yet received a report of bis proceedings.
There have been rumours of an intended revolt against the authority of
the Shab in Persian Baluchistan, but no definite information has reached me,
and I should say that it is doubtful if any combination of the Baluchi will be
carried out.
Mir Abdi Chan, of Dashtiyari, whose arrest was reported hst year, has
returned to his district, and has given assurances of future good behaviour.
It is probable that be will be re-instated in the Chiefship, as he is the most
influential person in that part of Makran.

10.—SLAVE TRADE.
No capture of slaves has been made during the year under report, but
several slaves have received manumission from the British authorities.
The question of a distinctive flag for Maskat dhows is still unsettled.

11.—PIRACY.
Four cases of piracy occurred during the year. The vessels attacked were
British Indian, Persian, and Bahreini, and the crimes were committed on the
Arab Coast, not far from Bahrein itself. Enquiries, I made, showed that they
were not, strictly speaking, piratical attacks at sea; but were committed by
Bedouins, and other landsmen, when the dhows afctacked; were .stranded on the
Coast. A portion of the property taken has been recovered through the
instrumentality of the Sheikh of El-Wakra, who promised to endeavour to
get the rest. This matter should not be lost sight of. Owing to the efforts of
Sheikh Khazzal of Mohammerah, and the presence of British gunboats in the
Sbatt-el-Arab, there were no cases of piracy in that river or in the Karan.

U.—NAVY.
There have been several British men-of-war in the Gulf during the past
year. At first the Sphinx remained at Maskat and the Lapwing was
at Bushire. Subsequently they changed places, and the Pigeon also arrived
at Busbire, remaining here till the beginning of September, during which time
her crew suffered greatly from the heat, and a number bad to be lauded at the
Telegraph Office at Besbirc. The Sphinx, which had gone down to Maskat.
for a change, then relieved the Pigeon and remained till the arrival of the

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