Page 389 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

BEBIDENOT AND 1IA8KAT POLITICAL AGENCY POE THE YEAE 188A-97. H

Several minor Blare transactions of a local and unimportant character
came to light. In one of these a small party of Baluoh alaves, for the moat
part hoys, who had probably been kidnappod, wore shipped at Wadam on the
Batinoli Coast, a plaoe of evil repute in this connection—for Lingah. An
adult of the party there made hia escape, and the remainder were carried to
Dobay, where two more after escaping fell into the hands of the Arabs of
Khan, a dependency of Shargah. These were recovered and sent to Maskat,
whore on the clue furnished by Foroz*s evidence proceedings were taken result*
ing in the conviction of a largo number of slave dealers. An attempt at
re-enslavement of a liberated slave on the Persian coast was reported, he was
recovered after some months at Lingah, and handed ofer to the Commander of
H. M. S. Sphinx.
Six slaves who, after effecting their escape from Shargah, had managed to
reach the Telegraph Station at Jask, were brought to Bushire, and being there
liberated were conveyed to Maskat at their own desire.
A more serious case was the kidnapping of 17 men on the South Arabian
Coast, by an armed party of the Yal Saad, who carried them by boat to the
Batinoh Coast, and thence sent them by land to the Pirate Coast or the in­
terior. This act was committed in February 1896, but the facta did not come
to b'ght till the beginning of the year undor report, on the information of one
of the Blaves who had escaped. The Sheikh of the Yal Saad who was directly
implicated was imprisoned by the Sultan, and later died in confinement. Only
one other of the party was traced in the possession of the Bedouin, and as it
was impossible to obteia his freedom without ransom, the disbursement of the
sum required was sanctioned by Government.
11.—PIRACY.
Some piracies were committed by the Beni Hajar robber tribe in Bahrein
waters.
Vigorous action far the suppression of piracy at the mouth of the Shat-el*
Arab was pressed gu the Turkish and Persian authorities jointly by the
British Consular authorities at Busreh and Mohammerahatthe urgent instance
of the British Officers, both sides, while still maintaining each that the liabi*
lity rested on the other, agreed to adopt measures of prevention, by appointing
posts along the river, where vessels should anchor at night under adequate
protection, and by arranging for the nightly patrol of the river by armed boats.
A visit of inspection to certain of these posts was made by the British Consuls,
in company with Shdkh Mizzal, the Perso-Arab Governor of Mohammerah.
The effect of these measures was very satisfactory, and the British Indian
boats visiting the river for their usual cargo of dates in autumn enjoyed
immunity from the danger to which they had previously been exposed.
In April of IS2S a bold piracy was committed on a boat from Koweit, off
the mouth of the the Nakhuda being killed, two traders wounded, and
some 8,000 rupees worth of goods and cash being plundered.
12.—ROYAL NAVY.
H. M. S. Lapmmg was on the Persian Gulf station at the opening of
tbe year under report, and was relieved in May by H. M. 8. Sphinx.
In the autumn H. M. .8. Lapwing was stationed in the Shat-el-Arab,
and was later relieved by H. M. 8. Redbreast, which finally left the Gulf
at the close of the official year.
13.—OFFICIAL CHANGES.
There was no change in the personnel of the Residency during the
year.