Page 116 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat
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6        ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GOLF POLITICAL
                     pose of exacting penalties imposed on the Chiefs of Debai, Shargah, Him~i
                     and Ras-ul-Khymah, for breaches of the Blavo trade treaties. *   * ye“»
                         In July last the Chief of Abu Dhabi forwarded some corresponde
                     which he had with the TTali of Bussorah, showing a disposition on the part of th*
                     Turkish officials to connect him with the attack on a caravan by the Manas'°
                     tribe between El-Hasa and Ojair in which $90,000 were said to have been
                    plundered. In reply to the Wali’s letter, which was couched in threatening
                    language, Shaikh Zaid disclaimed all responsibility for the misdeeds 0f this
                    wandering tribe. The transfer of the Wali shortly afterwards made it unneces-
                    sary to pursue the subject any further. The opportunity, however, was taken
                    to suggest to Shaikh Zaid that, although he appeared to have a complete
                    answer to the accusation of the TFali, it would be well if he used bis influence
                    with the tribe to dissuade them from acts of violence even beyond his own
                    territory. The Shaikh, however, on this as on previous occasions asserted that
                    the tribe were, in no way, under his control.
                         So far back as September 1891 it was reported that seven boats belonging
                    to Abu Dhabi bad been attacked by ten pirates from TTakrah and robbed of
                    the pearls they contained. Enquiry was rendered more difficult by the Chief’s
                    omission to furnish particulars. The Agent afterwards proceeded in nerson to
                    Abu Dhabi, but without any useful result, and the case is still unsettled, as no
                    further evidence has been produced by Shaikh Zaid.
                         The conduct of the Chief of Debai has not been altogether satisfactory
                    during the past year.
                         In September last a boat with twelve armed men was sent from Debai to the
                    assistance cf the Aim an Chief, who was then in fear of an attack by the Chiefs
                    of Shf.rcah aai Cm-ul-Kawain. As this was a breach cf an undertaking to
                    fcrcii the tra  crt by sea cf men and munition of war, it was marked by a
                    fine, which was levied during the Resident’s visit in November.
                         A good deal of trouble was caused in the settlement of claims against and
                    by the Al-Hurrah tribe, referred to in the last year’s report, as having migrated
                    from Debai to Shargah on account of alleged ill-treatment by the former
                    Chief.
                        These claims were eventually adjusted through the mediation of the
                    Residency Agent with the exception of a sum of $293, part of an old account
                    already settled, of which the Debai Chief evaded payment until required to
                    make restitution without further demur. It is understood that the Chief has
                    still some claims outstanding against the Al-Murrah.
                         The Chief himself was absent during the Resident’s visit in November, but
                    the opportunity was taken to impress upon the person in charge of the adminis­
                    tration the necessity for considerate treatment of British subjects at Debair some
                    of whom bad complained of having been threatened by the Chief,
                         In September last the"Chief paid a visit to the Sultan of Muscat, returning
                     overland thence to Rgreymi, where he married into the Al-bu-Shams sept of the
                     Naim tribe. At the end of December he became seriously ill* and it was at
                     first supposed that he had been poisoned, hut his illness now appears to have
                     been a stroke of paralysis.
                         In March 1892 a party of Debai subjects crossed over to Sir Abu Muair
                     island, which belongs to Shargah, and prevented people from Siri, who are
                     Jawasims, and therefore of the same tribe as the Chief of Shargah, from ^
                     there, aDd disarmed them. The Residency Agent was therefore directe
                     require the withdrawal of the intruders and the surrender of the arms.
                     Chief of Debai was also recommended to obtain permission in future from
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