Page 82 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

72 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

of Africans is still on the decrease. It is highly probable that the represen­
tations so frequently made by His Majesty’s Govornment to that of the iVenoh
are at last bearing fruit, and that the latter are now investigating with more
care than formerly the circumstances in which the tricolour is flown by Arabs.
During 1905-1906, 93 slaves applied at this Agency for freedom.
Of these manumission papers were granted to 84i according to the
provisions of the treaty of 1873, two loft the premises while their casos were
©till under discussion, and seven were dismissed as not being entitled to
freedom. Of the 84- abovementioned 39 were Africans, and of these 11 wore
sent tu Zanzibar for repatriation and four were allowed to proceed to Bombay.
The remainder were Persians or Baluchis, the majority of whom eleoted to
remain in Oman. In addition to the above the Political Agent rescued three
Baluch children from slavery in Suhar on the occasion of a visit to that port
in April. These were sent back to their relatives via Jaak.
VII. Referring to the massacre of part of the crew of the S.8. Baron Inner-
Marino. dale, some account of which was given in
last year’s report, the chief inhabitauts
of Masirah Island who had been imprisoned by Bis Highness the Sultan
of having assisted in hushing up the matter at first, were finally released with
the concurrence of the Government of India in January. Of the ten originally
imprisoned three bad died and four had previously been released owing to their
having become reduced in health. It is found that Bedouin Arabs speedily
become unfit for further imprisonment from the mere fact of being* in
confinement alone. The capture of the remaining actual culprits in this
matter has not been found possible, owing to their having escaped into a part
of the interior of Oman in which the Sultan’s rule is practically unrecognised.
VIII. The rainfall in Oman during the year under review lias been
normal and calls for no comment. There
Rainfall. have been no serious storms in Maskat
or its neighbourhood.
IX. Short visits to the Batinah coast and Sur were paid occasionally by
tbe Political Agent throughout the year,
Movements of the Polities! Agent.
but nothing in the shape of an inland
tour was possible owing to important work requiring his presence in Maskat^
first in connection with the preparation of documents for the arbitration
referred to earlier in this report and subsequently on account of the
negotiations with the French Consul on the same subject.
X. Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
visited Maskat in March and again in
Resident's visit».
May 1905. Tbe usual visits were
exchanged with His Highness the Sultan.
XI. Maskat was twice visited by the Commander-in-Chicf of the East
India Station during the past year, on
Navy.
the first occasion by His Excellency
Rear-Admiral Atkinson VTilles in H.M.S. Hyacinth in April 1906 and
again by His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Edmund Poe, K.C.V.O., in
H.M.S. Hermes in March 1906. On each occasion the visit lasted for
four days, during which the usual official visits were paid and returned.
In addition H.M.S. Hoyue, Captain E. G. Shortland, visited Maakat
in March and remained in harbour for five days. This fine vessel created
a ereat impression, and much interest was taken in her appearance. Other
vessels of His Majesty’s Navy which have been at Maskat during the year
under review are the Fox, Lapwing, Proserpine, Redbreast and Sphinx;
Tr-hile the Indian Marine have been represented by tbe Laurence
and the Investigator. The Persian Gulf Telegraph Steamer Patrick
Stewart also paid her yearly visit
The R. F. Infemet visited Maskat in May 1905 and the R. F. <T
Bntrecatteaux in December of the
Forvigo N*vin. same year. M. le Commandant I/jrmietv
Commodore of the French Eastern Naval Division, was in command on each
occasion. No other Foreign Navy has been represented.