Page 312 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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on view was to check the extension of Egyptian authority, no direct measures
of opposition have ever been taken against him. The events of that period
served to shew how little permanent success was to he expected from any
attempt to reconcile the feuds and animosities of Arab tribes, in order to unite
them for a common purpose, and more especially against an aggressor who is
skilful enough to work out his ends by iuilaming (heir individual jealousy and
ambition, rather than by the application of force. It might be observed also that
where a petty state is not sufficiently mindful of its own interest to reject the
interference of the Wahabce Lieutenant in its domestic concerns, or to resist his
usurpations, no efforts on our part would probably a rail to prevent its submission,
while, on the other hand, where the spirit existed and the ability alone were
wanting to maintain a protracted struggle fur independence, it would always bo
open to Government to dotermino fr<*m the exigencies of the case the nature and
degreo of support that might seem (losir&ble, but I venture to think that the
assurance or even expectation of our aid in all eases would not only render the
minor tribes careless of provoking the enmity of their neighbours and perhaps
negligent in their own defence, but must sooner or later implicate us in disputes
ascribablo to any othor cause beside Wahabee intervention.
“I was accordingly influenced by these view's in my communications with
Uuidont rei'Uei in tiio sense tt»icd to one of Tazil bin Maltomed the Chief of the Al-
the t-eni Naecm Chiefs who visit him otf Him* boo Shamis branch of the N:icpm tribe
ieeah- inhabiting a district of Brymce who like­
wise came off to visit me on the present, occasion. This Chief stated that bavin"
materially contributed to the defence of Himreeah lie had of course incurred
the ill will of the Wahabee Agent who would henceforth treat him as an enemy,
and he asked whether tho Government were again disposed to confederate the
tribes of Oman against the common enemy and to afford them its assistance in
expelling him from the country, I replied that however much the British Gov­
ernment might sympathize with any parties whose independence was assailed,
its present relations with the Wahabee Euler were not those of hostility, and l
saw no reason for deviating from its prescriptive policy of non-interference ia
the internal affairs of Arabia.
“ At my interview with the other maritime Chieftains nothing passed worthy
of mention. Beyond the prospects of the
Particular* of interriew with other maritime
Chieftain*. Pearl Fishery which was now interrupted
by the fast of Rumzam and other general
subjects, our conversation had reference only to the piracy on Abdul Karrcem’s
boat of which they severally denied anv knowledge, and regarding which I
regret to say I could obtain no positive information. Sheik Saeeu bin Tahnoon,
Sheik Saeed bin Tahnoon disclaims any know- the Chief of Aboothaboe, though he ad­
it dga of the perpetrator*. mitted that he bad apprehended and
punished the individuals mentioned in. Lieutenant James first report averred
that their offence had no connection with tho alleged outrage in which ho
earnestly assured me his tribe had not been concerned. The necessity of
hastening my arrival at Himreeah did not then admit of my enquiring into tho
case, but as no reliance can be placed upon the professions of an Arab Chief
....... under such circumstances, I have taken
steps on the next occasion of the * 1 lgris
visiting the Arabian Coast to confront the parties in question with Abdul
Karreem and the Nakoda of his vessel who accompanied me from Bahrein, and
thus to test their identity with the real perpetrators. It may not be unnecessary
to remind you that tho affair in question is the one brought to notice in any
despatch No. Vv1* dated 12th April last. Further particulars derived from the
crew of the plundered boat have since been communicated to me by the Agent
at Bahrein and will be duly submitted to Government together with the result
of the above measure.
“ As was to bo expected the excitement occasioned by the attack upon
Som* trifling instance* of maritime irregularity Himreeah was not unattended by maritime
comroitud by Jo..iom. irregularitv, two boats belonging to
Sharjah as'well as two neutral boats the
Witnrued to theeffeot that reparation had been One flOm OmraZ. the other lrom ounum
lfford,d- on the Batinah Const, both dependencies
of His Highness the Imaum of Muscat, had been molested at sea by tho