Page 176 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat
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6       ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON TUB TERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
                       A very ploasing incident in the annals of Oman was the prompt and
                   effective action taken by His Highness the Sultan for tho roliof of the • victima
                   in tho loss by fire of the S.8. Khiva off Marbat, on tho 8outh Arabian
                   Coast, in April. His Highness’s humane conduct has receivod tho recognition of
                   the Government of India. To it and to the shelter and protection afforded by
                   the local Shaikhs and friendly tribesmen, the safety in life and property of
                   over 1,000 persons was largely duo.
                       Excluding specie, an increase appears in the total valuo of tho trade of
                   Muscat. As regards imports and exports, the position of tho preceding year
                   has been exactly reversed during tho year under review, tho imports, especially
                   from India, having decreased, while the exports have largely increased.
                                        2.—OMAN PIRATE COAST.
                       This coast was visited in the end of April by tho Resident in H. M. 8.
                   Sphinx.
                       Cholera spread from the interior to the coast at the end of the hot season,
                   and though its prevalence was not for very long, there was considerable mortal­
                   ity, especially at Ras-el-Khymah, Shargah, Debai, and Abu Dthabi; it had
                   disappeared by the end of October.
                       An interference with the disposal by the Hindus, according to their reli­
                   gious rites, of the body of one of their community who had died at Abu
                   Dthabi was brought to notice. The Chief endeavoured to justify the action of
                   his son while in temporary charge of affairs during his absence. This conten­
                   tion could not be admitted; and the Chief being required to make restitution of
                   the fee which had been levied, refunded the money to tho Hindus.
                       At the instance of the Chief of Abu Dthabi an attack was made on Hair,
                   one of the towns of the Kowasim, by the Shoohooh tribe. After some of the
                   people of the town had been killed, its fort was destroyed.
                       Debai has been at enmity with both Shargah and Ras-el-Khymah. The
                   trouble between the two tribes, in connection with the Marrars, which was re­
                   ferred to in last year’s reports, continued, and the efforts to arrange matters
                   through the Residency Agent were unavailing, the Shargah Chief being in a
                   large measure responsible for the failure. Other differences arose and resulted
                   in openly declared hostilities in November, into which the people of Ajman
                   were also drawn on the side of Debai. Both parties finally had recourse to the
                   good offices of the Chief of Abu Dthabi, who, in March, effected a reconciliation,
                   arranging for a settlement of their mutual claims, and appointing agents to
                   carry it out. The claims concerning the Marrars were excluded from this
                   settlement, and were left to be dealt with under the authority of the Resident,
                   The Shargah Chief had not evinced a conciliatory attitude with regard to this
                   case with Debai, and appeared disposed to avoid meeting the Resident. An
                    assembly for a full investigation of the claims was, however, insisted on, and at
                    this, under the firm and judiciously exerted influence of Mr. Gaskin, Assistant
                    Resident, a satisfactory adjustment was made.
                        Advantage was also taken of this visit to exact from the Shargah Chief
                    the balance of a fine imposed on one of his subjects for importing a slave in
                    November 1892. The conduct of the Chief, altogether, had not been quite
                    satisfactory, and the complimentary gifts usually bestowed on these visits were
                    withheld.
                        A complaint was made by the Ajman Chief of his boat having been fired
                    upon by the people of Haireh. The charge was denied, and it has not been
                    possible to fully substantiate it. There is, however, reason to believe that some
                    demonstration of the kind was made, and as such an act would be a breach of
                    the maritime truce, a serious warning was given.
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