Page 119 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1892-93.. 9

la September a party of Beni Hajir’ were reported to have boarded a
Persian boat from Hasineli which was beached at El-Katif. They killed the
nocoda, wounded two of the crew, and carried off $700. Troops were sent, in
pursuit by tho Kahn Makam, and ten of the robbers were said to have been
captured, but none of the booty waa recovered.
About tbo middle of October the Wali of Bussorah, accompanied by two
forkish gunboats and a regiment of infantry, arrived at El-Katif, en route for
fl-Hasa. The troops were- disembarked and sent in boats to Ojair to march
*ith His Excellency to El-Haaa.
Tbe Wali, soon after his arrival, was stated to have arrested the Kaim
Hakam for some unknown reason, and he was afterwards taken as a prisoner to
fl.Hao. His successor appears to have inaugurated a more active policy, for
proclamations were issued by him at El-Katif, doubtless by the authority of the
flali, declaring Bahrain and 'Oman to ha within Turkish jurisdiction, and
Turkish flags were offered to the r.cccdcs of Bahrain boats, who, however,
refused to accept them. Under these circumstances there was at flrat a suspi­
cion that the troop3 with the Wali might be used against Bahrain. The Porte,
however, disclaimed any intention of so employing them.

6.—EL-HASA.
In Hay 1S92 it was reported that a caravan proceeding from El-Hasa to
Ojair under an escort cf twenty-five Tarlikh soldiers was attacked on the 14th
idem by some three hundred Eedoums of the Hanacir, Beni Hajir, and Al­
ii or rah tribe, who were reported to have killed fifteen and wounded ten
persons; carried off booty estimated at $30,000 in cash, and $20,000 in goods,
and plundered some forty pilgrims wi:h the caravan.
They were said to have sent the booty to Ll-Katr, their place of refuge,
with Jasim-bin-Thani, for sale there.
Various robberies in the neighbourhood of Ei-Hasa were also attributed
to the Beni Hajir and Al-llurrah, and the townspeople were said to travel in
bands of a score or so of armed men under the escort of a Bedouin whose
presence insured their safety from the tribesmen.
The first action of the VTali on arrival at El-Hasa appears to have been to
take security from the principal people of the town and neighbourhood, as he
bad done at El-Katif, to have no dealings with the Beni Hajir, AI-Morrah, and !
Hanasir, who thereupon retreated into the desert.
A number of the Arabs of El-Hasa were appointed to convoy caravans
between it and Ojair, thus leaving the Wali free to employ the whole of his
force against the Bedouins. The troops appear to have made one or two raids
®§ainst the tribe, and carried off a number of cattle and camels, but no serious
encounter took place.
In February tbe Wali marched from El-Hasa taking with him the regi­
ment of infantry which accompanied him from Bussorab, and three hundred
I
cavalry who had marched, tid Kowait. The two gunboats were ordered to
meet him at Al-Bidaa.
7.—KOWAIT.
i
Abdullah-bin-Sabah, Chief of Kowait, died in May 1892, and was succeeded
by his brother Muhammad-bin-Sabah. Tbe latter is said to have received
!
0rdeis from the Ottoman Government’ to consider the country between Kowait
*ud El-Katr and also the sea coast as being under his jurisdiction, and to ;
Grange as he thought best for its security from Bedouins. No steps, however,
appear to have been taken by him to give effect to any such instructions. !