Page 305 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND TUE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR TIIE YEAR 1900. 5

was in addition granted a guard of 30 Mekran Levy sepoys as a precaution
against reprisals l>y the Afghans. Mr. New’s system of intelligence was
very good, as in previous years, but up to the end of the year it was not
found possible to keep more than one ship on the coast, and no results were
achieved before the end of the year. It is satisfactory to mention, however,
that two very successful captures of 1,300 rifles and 181,000 rounds of
ammunition were made by ll.M.S. Vox (Captain A. Hunt) in March, and
after that a lot were thrown overboard by dhows on sighting His Majesty’s
ships so that the trade received a salutary if temporary set-back. The
success of the method, namely, that of boat-cruising which Ii.M.S. Fox's
larger complement of blue jackets enabled her to employ, indicates the lines
on which measures for an effective blockade of the coast are likely to be
devised.
Bahrein has been quiet throughout the period under review. The only Bair«in.
thing worthy of note is the return of Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed on precise
precautionary conditions after three years’ detention in India. Sheikh Ali has
been given the enjoyment of such property as he possessed, outside Manama
and an allowance of 11300 per mensem and is at present conducting himself
in a satisfactory manner.
Owing to the condition of the pearl market this season, many merchants
in Bahrein arc on the verge of bankruptcy and trade is stagnant.
On the mainland, the last nine months have been a period of considerable
stress. The Mutassariflik of El Iiasa was constantly in a disturbed con­
dition while the district of Katif was even worse. Affairs in Katif
culminated in July in an attack on the town and the oasis by Bedouin which
resulted in much loss of life and damage to property. Order was not
restored until reinforcements arrived from Basrah on 28th August. The
activity of His Majesty’s ships undoubtedly prevented the Bedouin from
extending their depredations to sea and thus inflicting great damage to the
trade of Bahrein.
The Political Agent calls attention to the fact that the new rdgime in
Turkey has begun by strengthening the garrisons in Hasa and Katif, and
points out that there are indications that a more active policy with regard to
Katar will be inaugurated. In this connection it was unfortunate that in
the absence of the Political Agent from Bahrein the representatives of the
Al-bu-Ainain should have invited the authorities at Basrah to intervene in
their disputes with Sheikh Jasim, and thus have given the Turkish Govern­
ment a pretext for activity in Katar.
During the five years that Major Prideaux has represented Govern­
ment in Bahrein, there has been a gradual improvement in the position of
our Agency there and enhancement of British influence, and it is a matter for
regret that after several years of steady and useful work, the time has come
for that officer to ask for a well-earned furlough.
The period under review has, on the whole, been uneventful in Koweit. Kow«t.
The town and district have been kept in good order under the p owerful rule
of Sheikh Mubarak. The Sheikh’s relations with the Political Agent were
most cordial at the end of the year, after a period in the hot weather during
which they were somewhat strained by the “ Waroonga ” incident and the
quarantine difficulty.
These two questions and that concerning the Sheikh’s Fao properties
have been the principal matters of interest during the year.
In regard to the last mentioned, the Sheikh’s constant complaints against
the Turks have given rise to a good deal of correspondence and the Political
Agent visited Basrah in July to confer with His Majesty’s Consul there cn
the subject. The question, however, appears to have been temporarily settled
by the Sheikh with the local authorities, and the fact that lie has bought the
large property known as “ Fadhagieh ” seems to show that the Sheikh does
not anticipate much further trouble. This new acquisition of the Sheikh’s
is an island property on the right bank of the Shatt-el-Arab adjoining his
“Dawasir” property.