Page 238 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

8 ADMINISTRATION DEPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
forces refused to move without superior orders, and the Governor then
to Muhammad-ibn-Rashid; the latter replied that his action had been 1
interests of law and order as the Ajman wore robbers.
An interview, which Sheikh Jasim had requested, was declined by
Muhammad-ibn-Rashid for fear of giving offence to .the Turkish Go
' vernmont.

6.—EL-HA3A AND OJAIR.
In April 8aeed Pasha, the Mutasorrif of El-Hasa resigned, and Ibrahim
Pasha, formerly of Hodcida, was appointed in his place.

6.—EL-KATIF,.
A struggle was maintained almost throughout tho year between the peo­
ple and the authorities, in regard to tho enhanced assessment of the date
produce for export, caused by the fall in silver values, the injustice of the
mode of assessment, and the exactions of the customs master. Two or three
deputations proceeded to Basreh to appeal to tho Wali in the matter, but
though a commission was appointed to arrange the matter, the grievances
remained unredressed.
An appeal to the Supreme Government proving also unavailing, the mer-
chants and others began to seek refugo at Bahreiu, and in January 1895,
the number of these refugees amounted to about 130, and a further exodus
was reported in February. A demand for arrears of the duty for the two
previous years, added to the general discontent, which was still further aggra­
vated by the high-handed exaction by the Turkish soldiery, of krans at the
exchange rate of 5| for the dollar.
Finally, in March 1895, the Governor of El-Hasa, while still refusing
the concessions asked for, having, upon instructions from Basreh, promised
a better arrangement for the ensuing year, and having also dismissed the tax
collector, who had made himself obnoxious to the people at Katif, those who
had taken refuge at Bahrein were induced to return.

7.—EL-KATR.
In April 1894 the Assistant Kaim-Makam of El-Bidaa and his wife were
murdered by two Turkish soldiers, at the instigation, as was afterwards
alleged, of the Commandant. The murderers escaped to TTakrah, but were
afterwards arrested, and the Commander of the"Mujde Ressan, ” when off
that coast, made an enquiry into the case and recorded the depositions of the
soldiers for transmission to Government.
Sheikh Jasim-bin-Thani resigned the Kaim-Makamsbip of El-Bidaa in
August and proposed to appoint his brother Ahmed to the post. Jasim
appeared to he somewhat disturbed at the delay in removing the relieved
Turkish garrison of El-Bidaa after the new reliefs of 200 men had been
landed in December.
A quarrel between the Al-Ajman and Beni-Hajir tribes in October led
to a raid by the latter on some of the northern villages of the peninsula.
Both tribes being dependents of Jasim, he exerted himself to effect a recon­
ciliation.
At the close of the year a prospect of troubles appeared on the west
coast of Katr, owing to the emigration there, in a body, of the Albin-Ali
tribe, who held themselves aggrieved by the Chief of Bahrein. The move­
ment had the support of Sheikh Jasim.