Page 156 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

4 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL-

tbo British and British Indian subjects living in Bush ire called upon tho
Resident to express their sorrow and condolences, and the Armenia n commu-
nity held a spocial memorial service in their church.
From Bahrein also, and from other places in the Gulf, numerous expres-
sions of sorrow were received.
Tours.—I visited Bahrein on several occasions during the year. I also
visited the Arab Coast in December and met the Chiefs of Shargah and Ajman.
The Chief of Abu Dhabi was away in the interior, but I saw his son and other
principal men. In January, I visited Mohammernh and made the acquaint­
ance of Shaikh Khazal. Later in the year I visited Maskat and the principal
Persian Gulf ports. Mr. W. S. Davis, ray First Assistant, paid a visit to Shiraz,
in June, returning to Bushirfe in October.
2. Oman Captain P. Z. Cox was Political Agent throughout the year. His relations
blaskat. with the Sultan have been most cordial.
A satisfactory issue to the negotiations between His Majesty’s Government
and that of the French Republic regarding the sito of the French coal shed ia
the Maskat harbour has been arrived at, a portion of the sito hitherto used by
us for the storage of coal having been mado over to the French.
Tli6 plague epidemic, to which reference was made in last year's report,
died out entirely in the beginning of May, and there has been no recrudes­
cences.
The Political Agent’s report of the principal events in the Maskat State
during the year forms Part II of this compilation.
3 Oman In May 1900 the Chief of Abu Dthabi repeated his request for permission
coast. to send provisions by sea to the Sudan tribe under Sultan-bin-Nasir, to whom
he bad accorded his protection, and who wished to colcnlzo Zaora, a place in
close proximity to the territories of the Chiefs of Ajman aud Shargah. As
this permission had been previously granted, though not hitherto taken advan­
tage of, and as it was understood that tho Chiefs of Shargah and Ajman, who.
claimed the ownership of Zaora, lmd no objection to its occupation by the
Sudan tribe, the Resident gave the required permission. Later on, however, it
appeared that the Chiefs of Shargah and Ajman strongly objected to tho
appearance of the Chief of Abu Dthabi at .a place so close to their territory,,
and as it appeared possible that the permission granted to Shaikh Zaid might
be the cause of disturbances, the permission granted to the Chief of Abu
Dthabi was revoked, and he was advised to give up bis project with regard
to Zaora.
On the 8th July 1900, Abdul Aziz, the uncle of Shaikh Humaid-hin-
Rashed, Chief of Ajman, attacked Ajman, and Shaikh Humaid having been
killed, Abdul Aziz assumed charge of the government of the place.
Shaikh Qumaid-bin-Abdulla, Chief of Ras-al-Khaima, died at an advanced
age on the 2nd August 1900, and the government of the place was assumed
by the Chief of Sliargab, who now rules botli Shargah and Ras-al-Khaima. So
far his authority has not been disputed by the other claimants to tho Chiefsliip.
The Resident, in the interests of the general peace, found it necessary to
intervene in the dispute mentioned in last year’s repott regarding the pearl
of great value. An amicable settlement wa9 arrived at, the claim of tho
Sultan of Maskat to a share in the value of the pearl being admitted. It is
hoped that the settlement will shortly be, if it has not already been, carried
into effect.
The pearling season along the Arab Coast has not been at all a satisfactory
ODe# No cases of piracy or disturbances at sea occurred during the year.
Mr. Gaskin has been confirmed in the appointment of Assistant Political
4- Labrein.
Agent, and has remained at Bahrein throughout the year.
Shaikh Isa’s health has not been entirely satisfactory during the year.
At liis request bis eldest son, 8haikh Hamid, has been recognized by the Govern­
ment of India as his suocescor. The Chief was very grateful that his request
had been complied with, and^ tho announcement of the recognition was tue-
occasion for much public rejoicing in Bahrein. .
It was reported from Bahrein that tho Turks have sent two. new guns for
the fort at El-Bida on the Katr Peninsula.