Page 116 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

6 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GOLF POLITICAL
pose of exacting penalties imposed on the Chiefs of Debai, Shargah, Him~i
and Ras-ul-Khymah, for breaches of the Blavo trade treaties. * * ye“»
In July last the Chief of Abu Dhabi forwarded some corresponde
which he had with the TTali of Bussorah, showing a disposition on the part of th*
Turkish officials to connect him with the attack on a caravan by the Manas'°
tribe between El-Hasa and Ojair in which $90,000 were said to have been
plundered. In reply to the Wali’s letter, which was couched in threatening
language, Shaikh Zaid disclaimed all responsibility for the misdeeds 0f this
wandering tribe. The transfer of the Wali shortly afterwards made it unneces-
sary to pursue the subject any further. The opportunity, however, was taken
to suggest to Shaikh Zaid that, although he appeared to have a complete
answer to the accusation of the TFali, it would be well if he used bis influence
with the tribe to dissuade them from acts of violence even beyond his own
territory. The Shaikh, however, on this as on previous occasions asserted that
the tribe were, in no way, under his control.
So far back as September 1891 it was reported that seven boats belonging
to Abu Dhabi bad been attacked by ten pirates from TTakrah and robbed of
the pearls they contained. Enquiry was rendered more difficult by the Chief’s
omission to furnish particulars. The Agent afterwards proceeded in nerson to
Abu Dhabi, but without any useful result, and the case is still unsettled, as no
further evidence has been produced by Shaikh Zaid.
The conduct of the Chief of Debai has not been altogether satisfactory
during the past year.
In September last a boat with twelve armed men was sent from Debai to the
assistance cf the Aim an Chief, who was then in fear of an attack by the Chiefs
of Shf.rcah aai Cm-ul-Kawain. As this was a breach cf an undertaking to
fcrcii the tra crt by sea cf men and munition of war, it was marked by a
fine, which was levied during the Resident’s visit in November.
A good deal of trouble was caused in the settlement of claims against and
by the Al-Hurrah tribe, referred to in the last year’s report, as having migrated
from Debai to Shargah on account of alleged ill-treatment by the former
Chief.
These claims were eventually adjusted through the mediation of the
Residency Agent with the exception of a sum of $293, part of an old account
already settled, of which the Debai Chief evaded payment until required to
make restitution without further demur. It is understood that the Chief has
still some claims outstanding against the Al-Murrah.
The Chief himself was absent during the Resident’s visit in November, but
the opportunity was taken to impress upon the person in charge of the adminis­
tration the necessity for considerate treatment of British subjects at Debair some
of whom bad complained of having been threatened by the Chief,
In September last the"Chief paid a visit to the Sultan of Muscat, returning
overland thence to Rgreymi, where he married into the Al-bu-Shams sept of the
Naim tribe. At the end of December he became seriously ill* and it was at
first supposed that he had been poisoned, hut his illness now appears to have
been a stroke of paralysis.
In March 1892 a party of Debai subjects crossed over to Sir Abu Muair
island, which belongs to Shargah, and prevented people from Siri, who are
Jawasims, and therefore of the same tribe as the Chief of Shargah, from ^
there, aDd disarmed them. The Residency Agent was therefore directe
require the withdrawal of the intruders and the surrender of the arms.
Chief of Debai was also recommended to obtain permission in future from