Page 14 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

8 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

6.-NEJD AND EL-HA8A.
The schemes of Akif Pasha were said to have included the control of Nejd
and 'Oman, but the project was considered by the Turkish Government as
being too large as regards Nejd, though deserving of consideration both as regards
'Oman and Bahrein.
The accounts from Nejd would seem to indicate that during the year a
more serious attempt than usual was made by Abdur Rahman bin Feysal to
shake the power of Ibn-ur-Rashid, and Riadh was captured by the Al-Saud.
It was soon besieged by Ibn-ur-Rashid and bombarded, but with no distinct
effect; eventually peace was concluded between him and the Al-Saud. By its
terms Riadh remained in the hands of the Al-Saud, who ceded to Ibn-ur-
Rashid, Washam and Sedeyyir, with their dependencies. The fort of Khorj,
which the Al-Saud failed to take, was placed in charge of one of Ibn-ur-
Bashid's officers. Both parties wrote to the Mutasarif of El-Hasa-Ibn-ur-
Rashid, to denounce Abdur Rahman as meditating an attack on El-Hasa, and
the latter, recounting the usurpations and ruthless tyranny of his adversary, and
professing his obedience to the Turkish authorities, who were disposed to listen
favourably to him. Later intelligence in the early part of this year was to
the effect that Ibn-nr-Rashid had succeeded in recapturing Riadh. Be was not
so successful in a contest with the people of Kassim, who, after two defeats, were
said to have inflicted severe loss on him in an action fought early in February.
The Mutasarif was apparently desirous of coming to terms with the Bedouins,
who had been engaged in robberies of caravans, and of restoring to them the
subsidy paid by the Turkish Government, but the plunder of a caravan of trv»o
hundred camels, laden with dates, by the Al-Murrah, Beni Hajat and other
tribes, led to its withdrawal and the execution of several camel-drivers.
6.—PERSIAN ARABISTAN.
The Nizam-us-Sultaneh was replaced by Haji Ghulam Hussein Khan,
“ Shehab-ul-Muik," as Governor of Persian Arabistan in March this year.
Trade on the Karun has not increased as rapidly as might have been expected,
the chief difficulties being connected with imperfect arrangements for the
storage of goods, and for the levy of duty at the port of destination on those
for the interior. This latter impediment to the growth of a through traffic
has now been removed, and it is hoped that there will he sufficient inducement
to British ships to call in larger numbers than hitherto at Mohammerab. A
company has been formed under the direction of the Muin-ut-Tujjarof Buahire
to work the Upper Karun, and the Nasiri, a steam launch 63ft. long, has been
placed by the company on the Lower Karun to run in connection with the
Shushan above Ahwas.
The Muiz-us-Sultaneh was confirmed in the Chiefship of Mobammerah
for another year. He is believed to have entered into partnership with the
Muin-ut-Tujjar, and would have joined the Nizam>us-Sultaneh in constructing
the necessary buildings for warehouses, &c., had the latter been retained in
office in Arabistan.
A Vice-Consul was appointed to Mohammerah in the autumn of last year,
and Mr. W. McDouall, of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, was
•elected as the first incumbent of the post
7.—PARS AND PERSIAN COAST.
There has been no change in the Government of Pars during the past year,
and the province is still administered by His Royal Highness the Motamid-ttd-
Dowlah, with Haji Nasir-ul-Mulk as his Pishkar.