Page 357 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat
P. 357

59


                     Year.                        Events and facta.

             1890-97            . In July 1898 disastrous fires broke out at Shargah, Abu Thabi
                                    and Dobai. A sovere storm at Shargnh in November
                                    1890 caused the wreck of many boats of pearl divers.
             1397-93            . In September 1897 a revere 6torm caused the loss of many lives
                                    at the pearl fisheries and about 100 falling boats  were
                                    destroyed. There was thus a rise in the price of pearls
                                    owing to tho fact that the take was less than usual.
                                  Iu suuimer a fire broke out at Dcbai, caused by a siave woman.
              1901-02           , The pearling season was satisfactory; DebnUeemed lo be increas­
                                    ing iu size and importance. Owing to the policy of the
                                    Customs Administration nt Liugab more 6t<'amei8 visited
                                    the Pirnto Coast and landed goods direct, which would other­
                                    wise have been transhipped from Lingah.
              1902-03           . The pearling soason was a good one and high prices were
                                    generally maintained.
              1903-04           . The pearling season was a prosperous one. Although the take
                                     of pearls was not a large one, prices ruled high.

                       (li) IXTER-TRIBAL WARS ON TIIE ARAB COAST, 1873—190;!.
                  131.  We have dealt in Chapter XI with the inter-tribal wars on the
              Mussendom Peninsula between the Chiefs on the East Coast of Oman with
              the Joasmi Chiefs on the Arab Coast of the Persian Gulf from 1876 to 1S88.
              We shall now proceed to give a synopsis of tribal feuds and fights on the Arab
              Coast from Tibbat to Abu Thabi. Wo shall generally exclude from this
              chapter the feuds of the Trucial Chiefs with the Arab tribes in the Katar
              Peninsula, which have been dealt with in the Katar Precis.
                  132.  The petty Chiefs on tho Pirate Coast have been very prone to
              quarreling amongst themselves, but all legitimate influence, when opportunity
              offered, has been brought to hear to persuade them to settle their numerous
              disputes rationally without recourse to arms, and interchanges of visits have
              ocoasionaliy been promoted by tho Government Agent with good result.
                  It may be well to remark here that the dissensions which have occurred
                                            owed their origin in most instances to
               Administration Report for 1874-75, page 2.
                                            pecuniary difficulties, whether arising
              out of claims for tho price of blood of murdered kinsmen or dependents for
              the restitution of bankrupt refugees for indemnification on account of mis­
              cellaneous losses, or other causes ; and that when money was forthcoming
              appeal to arms was avoided always, provided the cause of quarrel was such as
              to be capable of adjustment by pecuniary payment.
                  133.  We subjoin below a synopsis of the tribal fights and feuds in the
              shape of a statement, based on the facts narrated in the Gulf Resideucy
              Administration Reports:—


                 Years.  Parties to the feuda or wars.     Events.

              1873-74   The Chief of Shargnh with  Alleged want of faith on the part of the Chief of
                         the Chief Ejinao,   Shargah and his refusal to pay just demands of
                                             money due causod feuds.
                                versus      The Chief of Dehai suffered a defeat with loss
                                             of about 50 men.
                        Tho Chief' of Umra-ul-
                         Kawein with the Chiefs
                         of Abu Thabi aud
                          Himriyeh.
   352   353   354   355   356   357   358   359   360   361   362