Page 346 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

314 Part IV.
106. Dr. Bowman procecdod to Mohammcrah to investigate into the case,
but Bukhakh had (led to the marshes. Ilia
rollUrtl A-, Dceeinb*r 1880, No*. 137-130.
implication in tho robbery was clearly
proved, and the Government of India diroclod that, a fine of $150 should be
reoovered from his family. This was roeoverod by Shoikh Jabir Khan and
paid to tho Political Assistant at Basrah. Mr. Robertson had insistod upon
Bukhakh boing nrrostod and imprisoned, but tho Political Resident, Persian
Gulf, thought that his surrender and exile would satisfy tho requirements
of tho caso. The Government of India concurred in this opinion, hut stated
that ns tho Political Assistant at Basrali had insistod on his imprisonment, it
did not soom desirable that tho demand should be formally waived. It was,
howevor, left to tho Political Resident's discretion to order the release of Bukhakh
on condition of his being oxilod as soon after his oapturc as might bo thought
desirable (Foreign Department letter No. 3735-E. P., dated 23rd December
1880).
167. All tho property stolen was recovered and restored to their owners. Of
the fine recovered, one-half was orderod
Politic*! A., October 1B80. No*. lOi lOG.
to bo distributed among two of tho throe
Telegraph clerks who had suffered, or disposed of according to tho discretion
of tho Political Agent (Foreign Department letter No. 3421-E. P., dated 21st
October 1880.)

(iii) Attack by Arabs on tbe S. S. Khalifah on the River Tigris in
1880*

168. On 12th July 1880, the following report was telegraphed to the
Government of India by tho Political Re­
Politic*! A., September 1880, No. 398.
sident in Turkish Arabia :—
“ Baghdad, 11th. Euphrates Company’8 steamer Khnlijah arrived here to-day. Reports
having been attacked near Ezra’s tomb on morning <•£ 8th instant by Arabs, who kept up inces­
sant tire on her for half hour, but failed in attempts to board. A quartermaster and one pas­
senger killed and Captain Clements wounded. Attack was desperate and quito unprecedented
as regards English steamers. No provocation had been given and cause of hostility is
unknown.”
This was repeated to Dor Majesty’s
Political A., SepttmboT 1880, No*. 229J2.
Secretary of State for India.
169. The Resident followed up his telegram witli a complcto account of
the affair.
It appears that, while the Khalifah was passing down tho river with Uer
Majesty’s Indian mails, a light general cargo and about 80 passenger*, a
number of Arabs suddenly appeared from the long grass on tho banks near a
place called Seayfor, a few miles from Ezra’s tomb, and opened a brisk fire on
the steamer, which they maintained for 40 minutos, pursuing tho ship and
endeavouring to board her. She was preserved, however, from the disaster of
falling into their hands by the courage and steadiness of the Commander, Captain
Clements, and tbe Chief Engineer, Mr. Cole, who, though left almost entirely
to themselves, stuck vigorously to their posts and eventually succeeded in
escaping the assailants. Tho Arabs, on finding it fruitless to pursue her fur­
ther, retreated, and the vessel was not molested again.
Tbe quartermaster and one passenger wero killed and the Captain and
Chief Engineer wounded.
170. The reports showed no clear reason for the affray ; but intelligence of
affairs in that locality) which had been previously received, indicated that the
whole of Southern Mesopotamia was in a state of disorder, and that the Mon-
tefik Arabs were in open rebellion against the Turks and each other. It was
surmised that they bad some grievances which they were determined to make
known and obtain somo remedy for, and that they believed an attack on a
British steamer would bo the most expeditious way of ventilating them.