Page 337 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

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CHAPTER XX-

Outrages against British subjects.
(i) Plunder of the mail steamer “Cashmere ” at Basrah, 1872-73

102. In 1872, tho mail steamer Cashmere of the British India Steam Navi­
gation Company was boarded by a large
Qcnorul, August 1872, Nos. -lo-S4.
number of daring robbers while at Basrah;
and one of the crew, a fireman, was murdered, six others and tho chief officer
were injured, and property and cash of the value of Its. 42,000 wero carried
away. There were several gangs of these robbers, one led by Jassiin-cl-Khalaf,
another by Mahomcd-cl-Haij.
103. Thirty of the robbers were captured by tho Turkish Polico at Basrah
itsolf, consisting of Lohsashccs, Bahreinese, Montcfik Arabs, Sidees, and residents ■
of the islands near Basrah. Some effected their escape to Fclahoca in Arabistan
and took refuge among tho Kaab Arab, whose chief was Sheikh Lufti. Tho
most powerful chief in Arabistan at the time was Haji Jailor, tho Mohasicn
chief of Mohammerah, and it was thought that through his influence tho
robbers that had escaped to Fclahoca could ho easily captured. Represent­
ations were therefore made to the Shah’s Government at Teheran with a view
to get orders issued to Haji Jaber to secure the capture of tho robbers, which
the Sadr Azem promised. Nine of the pirates were delivered, hut four more
were at largo and no proper measures were taken at first for their capture.
101. The Political Agent in Turkish Arabia reported that ou the 13th
August he received a telegram from Mr. Robertson at Basrah to the effect that
Haji Jaber had not received stringent orders from Teheran, or such as would
aulhorizo him to take up arms against the robbers who had taken refuge at Fela-
lieca, and that lie immediately addressed the following telegram dated 13th
August, to Her Majesty’s Mission at Teheran :—
“ Beg you will obtain from Sadr Azem stringent orders to Prince Governor of Arabistan
and Ilaji Jaber Khan to march against Fclaheea, unless Lufti nt once delivers to tho latter
the robbers now under his protection.”
105. On tho 16th August Colonel Herbert received a telegram directed to
Haji Jaber by the Sadr Azem. This telegram is in French, but its English
version is subjoined :—
“ You have delivered tho nino pirates. Thera remain besides according to the English four
others. Communicate to Prince Anoushirwan Mirza this formal order, and let him take the
most efficacious measures in consequence to forco Slw-ik Lufti to surrender the pirates im­
mediately, and above all tho plundered property which may be found with them. Let the
Prince neglect no means to cause this order to he executed without delay/'
106. Mr. Robertson was directed to take immediate action on this telegram
in personal communication with Haji Jaber. Uaji Jaber lost no time in forward­
ing a copy of the telegram to Prince Governor Anoushirwan Mirza, and another
copy to Sheikh Lufti at Fclaheea. Riouf Pasha meantime caused two small
steamers to be procured from Basrah, aud requested the Sheikh of Kuweit to
co-operate in preventing the oscape of the robbers either by crossing the river
atFelakeea or the Persian Gulf.
107. The reply of Sheikh Lufti to Haji Jaber was that there were neither
robbers nor plunder at Fclaheea, and that he had gone to wait on the Prince Gov­
ernor at Howoyzah. Jt was hoped that the Prince would detain Sheikh Lufti as
hostage until tho surrender of tho robbers known to have taken refuge with him.
108. Colonel Herbert stated that tho arrest of Mahomcd-cl-Haij at Sook-es-
Shceookh had led to tho arrest at Basrah of another man with whom a small
portion of the plundered property was found, and that N'asir Pasha is in search
of Jassim-el-Khalaf and his hand.
109. Foreign Department lottor No. 2433-G., dated tho 6th of December
1872, informed Colonel Herbert that his proceedings in respect to tho measures
SOioFD