Page 340 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

60 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION RErORT
Owing to the inhabitants of Katif having otlior sources of livelihood than
pearling, the distress prevalent elsewhere on this coast is not yet being sevorely
felt in those districts. •
Shaikh Abdullah bin Jassirn bin Than! has been experiencing considerable
difficulty with the sons of Shaikh Ahmed
Katr.
bin Thani and with his cldor brother,
Shaikh Khalifah. lie cannot be said to have consolidated his power sinco his*
father’s death last year. He has preserved a friendly attitude since tho com-
menccmcnt of the War.
It was announced in tho public prevss at tho beginning of the year that
the Porte had abandoned all claims to suzerainty over Katr. The treaty was
not, however,, ratified and tho Turkish garrison is still at Doha. Katr, owing
to its possessing no resources but tho pearl fisheries, is feeling economic condi­
tions very severely. Shaikh Abdulla has never attempted to assist Bahrain
merchants in collecting their debts, and consequently no credit is now given
to Katr, and supplies are running low.
Nothing of interest in connection with the Anns Traffic occurred during
Ann* Traffic. tllG year.
No cases of piracy were reported.
Piracy.
Ten slaves were manumitted during
6bTO trade.
the year without any difficulty arising.
H. M. S “ Dartmouth, »» it Sphinx ” and “ Odin ” each called once and
H. M. S. “Fox” three times. H. M. S.
Visit* of His Majesty’s Ship*.
“Ocean” the R. I. hi. S. “Dalhousie”
(under the white ensign) and the armed launch “hlashona” escorted the
transports of the Indian Expeditionary Force that were anchored off Bahrain
in October.
During the last visit of H hr. S. “ Fox ” Shaikh Isa, his sons, grandsons
and followers dined at the Agency to meet the Senior Naval Officer and officers.
Seventy-five persons oat down to dinner. One hundred and thirty blue jackets
ard marines landed from H. M. S. “Fox” and 100 of them visited Adari on
donkeys supplied by Shaikh Isa. Their exemplary conduct created a very
favourable impression in Bahrain.
Dr. Harrison made frequent visits to Katif, on one of which he was ac­
companied by Mr. and Mrs. Van Peursem.
American Mission.
Dr. Van Vlack remained in Bahrain
during the year. The other members of the Mission were frequently absent
from the island. The total number of the adult members of the Mission at
tbe end of the year was 9. Their hospital did good work, and their relations
with the people were good, even during the excitement at the beginning of
the War with Turkey.
German.—Of the two members of Messrs. Robert Wonckhaus and Co.
one, Herr Trumper, a Lieutenant of the
Subject* of other Christian Powers.
active Reserve, returned to Germany via
Baghdad on the outbreak of War, the second, Herr Hading of the Ersatz
Reserve, was made a prisoner of war while the Indian Expeditionary Force was
anchored off Bahrain, and was sent to India.
Horr Abraham, of Messrs. Rubin and Co., an Australian Pearl firm with
its headquarters in Paris, was in Bahrain for a short time. On the outbreak
of War he tried to return to Europe, but, being a member of the Landsturm,
was made a prisoner of war in Karachi.
French.—Two members of Messrs. Rosenthal Bros, and one of Messrs.
Rubin and Co. came to Bahrain at the beginning of the season, but returned
to Bombay on tbe outbreak of War.
Roumanian.—One member of Messrs. Rubin did likewise.
Italian.—Bahrain was visited during the yoar by three Italian commercial
travellers. They failed to mako any opening f>r Italian trade.