Page 292 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

108 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

from the Sultan of Mnsknt who alleged that ho was a Musalman convert and
had come to settle accounts with Ali-bin Ahmed utli Thalmha and Sheikh
Moosa-hin-Abdur Kazak, who wore Age nts for the firm of Goguyor.
One morning early in October, however, Sheikh Mubarak sent his
Secretary with Monsieur Elbaz to the Political Agent with the request that
lie would be good onomrh to witness Elbaz’s signature to a certain document
but. tho naturo of the document was not made clear. The Political Agent
declined tho honour and visited the Sheikh when the latter told the Political
Agent that ho owed some money to the firm of Grguyor and iliat ho was
finally settling and sevoring his connection with tho firm and wished that he
would kindly see that Monsieur Elbaz signed a document to that, effect.
Both tho Erenohmen lived, while in Koweit, with one Dabash-bin-Othman
bin Dahnsb.
In June Sheikh Mubarak despatched a consignment of 4,000 rifles and
ammunition to Sheikh Kliazal of Mohammerah to help him in his troubles
with his tribesmen. In September somo packages of arms u ere shipped for
Koweit from Mnskat. by ono of tho fast mail steamers of British India. The
steamer unfortunately could not call at Koweit and the packages remained on
hoard. On arrival at Moharamerah, however, the Belgian Customs officials
boarded the vessel and demanded the packages from tho Captain of the vessel.
This was refund and the packages were taken back and handed over to the
Sultan of Mnskat. Tho Sheikh of Koweit preferred n complaint to the
Political Agent complaining of unjustifiable interfeiencc* by the Belgian officials
of the Persian Customs Department at Mohammerah with goods destined for
Koweit and asked the Political Agent to arrange for the re-shipment of the
packages from Maskat. The matter wras referred to the Political Agent at
Maskat through the Politioal Besident, Persian Gulf, with the result that 6uch
an arrangement, was found impracticable.
On three occasions cases of rifles were dropped over hoard in the Koweit
harbour while discharging in lighters, and enquiries were made by the owners
from the Mail Agent as to tho exact spot of anchorage with a view to sending
down divers. In October again the Sheikh despatched to Bin Sa’ud, who had
applied for such help, 1G,000 cartridges (8 camel loads).
In a single week in October G,000 rifles were imported and the Sheikh’s
dues on them amounted to £5,000 or Rs. 75,000. In November there was a
great activity in the arms traffic when tho rate of dollars was driven up sud­
denly to Rs. 1G9 for $1('0. Iho buyers were said to be from Mesopotamia who
had with them Turkish Liras which had to be changed into dollars. It is
interesting to noto that one early morning an unsuspecting Arab from up
country, who had probably come to buy arms, greeted the Political Agent in
tho bazar, misled probably by his 6olar hat, and asked him if be bad any arms
for sale.
A report, in the same month, was brought to the effect that three loads of
arras and ammunition, the property of Dabash-bin-Othman-bin-Dal:ash, were
captured by Turkish soldiers at Zubair.
In March, three revolvers and one rifle, all Mausers, were detected in the
bedding of one Haji Hamud, who was a passenger for Koweit from Maskat, by
the Chief Officer of the British India mail steamer Kola. These were confis­
cated by the officer and handed over to the Political Agent at Maskat.
Preference is given to Mauser rifles and revolvers os these are considered
to he the best. After these come the firearms manufactured by Dixon and
Company and arms bearing tho Persian ensign locally called the “ Pharsi
rifles.
A Mauser rifle is sold at $70 but prices generally keep fluctuating as the
dollar rates fall and rise. Rifles made by Dixon and Company can bo had for
$35 and less. The “Pharsi” rifle is better than that made by Dixon and Com­
pany and is sold for $40 to 46. It is considered to be the second best.
Public Health.
The public health has boen good throughout the year. The dispensary
was kept open for the benefit of the public and 5,914 persons were treate