Page 345 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Gliapter XX. 313

155. Colonel Horhert sent this correspondence to Sir H. Elliott with the
observation that it denoted a desire to avoid payment of the balance of the
plunder and of the compensation required. IIo, therefore, solicited Sir H.
Elliott’s aid in counteracting any such intcution.
15G. Government had very recently referred * Colonel Herbert to previous
orders, in which ho was informed that Her
• No. 2030-0., dated 17th September 1873.
Majesty's Government did not consider it
advisable to demand from the Ottoman Government compensation for the
family of .the murdered fireman and the persons wounded in the attack on the
Cashmere.

(ii) Robbery of Officers of the European Telegraph Department
between Basrah and Fao, 1880.
157. On the 3rd January 1880, the Superintendent of the English Tele­
graph Station at Eao, with two others, on their way by boat from Basrah to Fao
were attacked and robbed by Arabs, said to belong to the Persian side of the
river.
158. Mr. Robertson in consequence, in view to the question of extradition
sure to arise, sent Dr. Bowman to take
Political A., February 18S0, No. 172.
charge at Basrah. This the Government
of India approved, and they called for an early report.
159. On the 6th January, the same day as ho reported by telegram, Mr.
Robertson also wrote sending copies of
Political A., February 18S0, No. 174.
various telegrams. It appears that the
robbery took place twelve miles from Basrah, the party being attacked while
asleep by eight Arabs, beaten and wouuded, and their property stolen. One of
the boatmen stated that he could swear that the leader of the gang of robbers
was Bukliakh bin Sabhan, one of the Muhaysen tribe, of which JLlaji Jabir
Khan of Mohammerah was the Sheikh. This man had been accused of
robbery and murder before, but had cleared himself; he is known, however,
to live partly by plunder.
160. Mr. Robertson telegraphed both to the Vali of Basrah, Zabit Pasha,
and to Haji Jabir Khan of Mohammerah, asking them to assist in the capture
of the robbers. -
161. Dr. Bowman visited the Vali of Basrah, who expressed his extreme
regret at the occurrence, and his determi­
Political A., February 1S80, No. 180.
nation to use every endeavour to trace and
arrest the perpetrators of the outrage.
162. From a list furnished by Mr. Huskinson of the property stolen, it
appeared that, including cash, property to the value of rupees 1,070 was carried
oil; cash being rupees 84.
163. Haji Jabir Khan wrote in reply to Mr. Robertson’s telegram, denying
that Bukhakh was implicated in the robbery, stating that he was away on the
Karun river, and when he came back should bo romoved from bis place, as he
would get the credit of the robbery whether guilty or not.
164. Dr. Bowman wrote to Haji Jabir Kban, pointing out that the imme­
diate arrest of the robbers was most important, and asking him to co-operate.
He replied that Bukhakh, not being a ringleader in the offence, should not be
arrested. Mr. Robertson consequently requested Dr. Bowman to go to Moham­
merah, confront Bukhakh with the witnessos who accuse him of complicity,
I and “ if, after hearing what is to bo said on both sides, you consider Bukhakh
guilty, pressure must be put on Haji Jabir.”
165. Mr. Robertson tolegraphed, on 1st February, that all the stolen pro­
perty, except some rupcos, had boen recovered by Sboikh Mizal, the seaond
eon of Haji Jabir.
[S646FD]

i