Page 176 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

6 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON TUB TERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
A very ploasing incident in the annals of Oman was the prompt and
effective action taken by His Highness the Sultan for tho roliof of the • victima
in tho loss by fire of the S.8. Khiva off Marbat, on tho 8outh Arabian
Coast, in April. His Highness’s humane conduct has receivod tho recognition of
the Government of India. To it and to the shelter and protection afforded by
the local Shaikhs and friendly tribesmen, the safety in life and property of
over 1,000 persons was largely duo.
Excluding specie, an increase appears in the total valuo of tho trade of
Muscat. As regards imports and exports, the position of tho preceding year
has been exactly reversed during tho year under review, tho imports, especially
from India, having decreased, while the exports have largely increased.
2.—OMAN PIRATE COAST.
This coast was visited in the end of April by tho Resident in H. M. 8.
Sphinx.
Cholera spread from the interior to the coast at the end of the hot season,
and though its prevalence was not for very long, there was considerable mortal­
ity, especially at Ras-el-Khymah, Shargah, Debai, and Abu Dthabi; it had
disappeared by the end of October.
An interference with the disposal by the Hindus, according to their reli­
gious rites, of the body of one of their community who had died at Abu
Dthabi was brought to notice. The Chief endeavoured to justify the action of
his son while in temporary charge of affairs during his absence. This conten­
tion could not be admitted; and the Chief being required to make restitution of
the fee which had been levied, refunded the money to tho Hindus.
At the instance of the Chief of Abu Dthabi an attack was made on Hair,
one of the towns of the Kowasim, by the Shoohooh tribe. After some of the
people of the town had been killed, its fort was destroyed.
Debai has been at enmity with both Shargah and Ras-el-Khymah. The
trouble between the two tribes, in connection with the Marrars, which was re­
ferred to in last year’s reports, continued, and the efforts to arrange matters
through the Residency Agent were unavailing, the Shargah Chief being in a
large measure responsible for the failure. Other differences arose and resulted
in openly declared hostilities in November, into which the people of Ajman
were also drawn on the side of Debai. Both parties finally had recourse to the
good offices of the Chief of Abu Dthabi, who, in March, effected a reconciliation,
arranging for a settlement of their mutual claims, and appointing agents to
carry it out. The claims concerning the Marrars were excluded from this
settlement, and were left to be dealt with under the authority of the Resident,
The Shargah Chief had not evinced a conciliatory attitude with regard to this
case with Debai, and appeared disposed to avoid meeting the Resident. An
assembly for a full investigation of the claims was, however, insisted on, and at
this, under the firm and judiciously exerted influence of Mr. Gaskin, Assistant
Resident, a satisfactory adjustment was made.
Advantage was also taken of this visit to exact from the Shargah Chief
the balance of a fine imposed on one of his subjects for importing a slave in
November 1892. The conduct of the Chief, altogether, had not been quite
satisfactory, and the complimentary gifts usually bestowed on these visits were
withheld.
A complaint was made by the Ajman Chief of his boat having been fired
upon by the people of Haireh. The charge was denied, and it has not been
possible to fully substantiate it. There is, however, reason to believe that some
demonstration of the kind was made, and as such an act would be a breach of
the maritime truce, a serious warning was given.