Page 286 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

2 ADMINISTRATION RETORT ON THE PERSIAN C.UI.F POLITICAL

yet succeeded in extending its control in this direction. Negotiations on the
subject are, it is understood, now proceeding at Tehran, where the Shaikh has sent
a representative to lay before the Persian Government his views on the subject.
At Bush ire and the other Gulf Ports a transhipment fee of J bran per package
has been introduced for goods transferred within the harbour, and } kran per
package on goods landed and kept in bond and subsequently re-exported. A
limit of t wenty days has been fixed within which such goods may bo re-exported,
but this limit may be extended at the discretion of the Customs Administration!
Availing itself of the prohibition which exists against the export of provi­
sions from Persia, the Customs Administration has lately seen lit to impose a 10
per cent, duty on barley, wheat, and lice and other articles of provisions, notwith­
standing the fact that these may have paid thee percent, import duty. 'Ibis duty
has been enforced in the case of provisions sent oil'to British ships within Persian
waters. At Lingah, which is an important port of transhipment for the opposite
coast of the Gulf, this recent regulation is very unpopular, and it is probable that
the prosperity of the place will suffer in consequences.
I have not been able to ascertain the income derived from the Customs in
the Gulf, as the Director-General is not allowed to communicate the figures. It
is probable that a large increase of revenue over last year’s figures has resulted,
as various new charges have been introduced and the control of the Administra­
tion generally extended.
Settlement of Claims for Compensation.—'I be Special Commissioner*
Hissam-el-Yizareh, alluded to in last year’s report, arrived in Bush ire on the
2!)th April. 11 is mission proved to bo a total failure, as be bad no sufficient
authority from bis Government to enable him to enforce his decisions, and
consequently the local authorities gave him no assistance whatever.
2 Oman - Major P. Z. Cox. I.S.C., was Political Agent throughout the year. Tran­
Mnsknt quillity has generally prevailed in the Sultan’s dominions. His Highness
sud'ered a great loss in tin* death of his faithful Ya/.iraud adviser, Sayyid Saeed
bin Muhammad. The Political Agent’s report of the principal events in Maskat
during the year forms Part 11 of this compilation.
:i Oman Coast. The past year has been unusually tranquil and nothing of any importance
has occurred. The pearling season was satisfactory, and no eases of piracy or
disturbances at sea took place. I visited the Coast in February, and saw most
of the Trucial Chiefs. Debay appears to be increasing in size and import­
ance. Owing to the policy of the Customs Administration at Lingah, more
steamers have recently visited the Coast, and landed goods direct, which would
otherwise have been transhipped from Lingah.
Dalircin. Mr. Gaskin was Assistant Political Agent at Bahrein throughout the year.
The pearling season was satisfactory, and altogether the year has been a pros­
perous one. The Bedouins on the mainland have been giving a good deal of
trouble, and the caravan route between Ojair and El-llasa has been very
unsafe. No piracies have occurred near Bahrein this year.
The Turkish authorities have, as yet, taken no steps to punish the Bchaih
tribo who were responsible for the murder of the Chief’s cousin, Shaikh Salman-
bin-Diaij, alluded to in last year’s report. The new Mutnsserrif for LT-Uasa
arrived at Bahrein, on 3rd September, en route to Ojair. The Turkish authori­
ties, fearing trouble from the Bedouins, have taken steps to strengthen their
position at Katif.
There appears to he no doubt that the defeat sustained by Shaikh Mubarak
5 Koweit and at tll0 ]innjs ()f the Amir of Ncjd, on the lYtli March, near Aneyza, wasdeoisive.
T,c' As is not unusual in Arab warfare, lie was deserted in the hour of need by
certain Bedouins of Ncjd who Ind espoused his cause and who went over to the
Amir’s side, thus changing the fortune of the (lay. Mubarak’s loss was very
lieavv and included his brother Hamud and other notables. The Amirs losses
appear to have been considerable and to have included some leading men.
After this defeat, Shaikh Mubarak returned to Koweit, and the Amir of Ncjd,
after inflicting punishment on certain tribes who had espoused Mubarak scause,
also returned to his capital. Towards the end of September, however, the Amir
moved out and encamped for some time on the confines ot Koweit, whence Jio
kept up coininunieafions with the Turkish authorities at Basrah, demanding
Uicir assistance for the purpose of exacting redress from the Shaikh of Koweit