Page 486 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

8 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON TIIE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL
6.—NEJD.
Muhammad Ibn Rashid, the Amir of Jobcl Shammar, died on tb« 3rd
December 1897, after nominating his nephew as his successor. This was after
wards duly accopted by all the Sheikhs and leading men of Nojd.
6,—KOWAIT.
Sheikh Mubarok, whose assassination of his brothers is montioned in Ust
year’s report, continued to bo ruler of Kowait, and has on various occasions
received British officers in a friendly manner. The port is a good one, and its
situation may make it one of the most important places in the Persian Gulf in
the near future. There were constant rumours of intended attacks on Kowait
by the sons of the murdered brothers of Sheikh Mubarek, who were said to have
obtained the assistance of various important Arab Sheikhs.. Nothing important
occurred, however, and Sheikh Mubarck assured the British officers who saw
him, that ho is strong enough to resist all attacks.
7.—PERSIAN ARABISTAN.
The great event of the year in Mohammcrah has been the murder of
Sheikh Mizzal Kbau bin Hnji Jaber, the well-known Arab ruler of Arabistan.
He was assassinated on the 3rd June, when landing from his boat opposite his
own residence at Palin. The actual murderers were three negroes, who are
supposed to have been instigated to commit tlie crime by the Sheikh’s cousin,
Seim an bin Mansur, the Chief of the Moliaisin tribe. It was feared at first
that the sudden death of Sheikh Mizzal would give rise to trouble; but nothing
particular has occurred. The Governorship ol Mohammerali and of the tribes
was assumed by Sheikh Mizzal’s brother, Sheikh Khazal, after tribal ejection,
which has subsequently been confirmed by the Persian Government; and he
appears to have conducted the Government in a proper manner, avoiding
difficult situations, which at one time seemed likely to arise.
The Ala-ud-Dowleh relieved Haji Il-Khani in February 1S97, and on his
arrival at Shushter proceeded to arrest several men, who had been engaged in
the attacks on the premises and caravans of British firms. A general rising
ensued, and would probably have ended badly, but for tbo timely arrival of
some 3,000 Bakhtiaris. With their assistance, the Governor-General was able
to subdue the revolt, after twenty days* desultory fighting, in which 55 of the
rioters and 5 of the Governor’s men are said to have been killed.
AJa-ud-Dowleh was succeeded by Safid-us-Sultaneh, Sirdar Akram, who
has held the post for the rest of the year. An embargo was put on the export
of cereals from Arabistan, as the harvest there had been so bad. This affected
British firms, who had given advances to the cultivators, and, after some
trouble, an exception was made in favour of the export of sesame seed. The
embargo still continues in force, but will, I hope, soon he withdrawn, as the
harvest in Arabistan has been very good, and the Arabs wish fco sell their
produce, so as to obtain money to replace the flocks and herds, which perished
during the recent drought.
In July an attempt was made by the Persian Government to -establish a
Persian Customs House at Mohammerah, but this fell through in consequence
of the opposition of Sheikh Khazal.
Owing probably to want, consequent on bad harvests, there has been a
considerable amount of crime in Arabistan, and the roads have been unsafe.
Complaints have been sent in by British firms, Messrs. Lynch and Messrs.
Hotz, complaining of losses sustained.
In December 1897, a French exploring party under the direction of M.
Jenguir, with whom was Mme. Lampre, ascended the Karun, where ifeey *ere
subsequently joined by M. de Morgan.
8.—FARS AND THE PERSIAN COAST.
The Nazim-ud-Dowleh was Governor-General of Pars during °?rJy
portion of the past year, and was succeeded in October by His Royal High­
ness the Firman Eirma, a near relative of the present Shah.