Page 395 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

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POR THE YEAR 191.5. 4.1
His Highness* brother, Saiyid 'Salim bin Faisal, was appointed Wali of
Gwadur during the year in place of Saif bln Boder who is now one of His
Highness’ courtiers.
On the 38th September His Highness the Sultan celebrated the. 2nd
anniversary of his reign. The Agency flagstaff was dressed for the occasion.
The Imam, Salim bin Iiashid al Khnrusi, continued to giro trouble even
„ . . after the severe defeat his forces mot
Condition of county with on (the 11th January, a mention
of which was made on page H of last year’s report. The Bani Battasli tribe on
sovcral occasions raided and carried off sheep and goats belonging to the
Military garrison at Bait-al-Falaj. This, particular tribe gave much trouble
to His Highness the Sultan and caused considerable damage to date plantations
belonging to his subjects at Hajjar aud Wadi Uatat. They also destroyed His
Highness’ date trees at Wathiya.
In Juno, a detachment of the Military garruson encountered a party of the
Battashi raiders near Kurram village and, in the skirmish which ensued from a
long range, two of the enemy were killed. Two men of the village and a child
were wounded by stray bullets.
In July His Highness the Sultan undertook punitive operations against
the Bani Battash at Qaryat. He took with him a force of Arab Askaris and
Maxim guns. The tribe however unconditionally surrendered to His Highness
and obtained his pardon. They also surrendered to His Highness the
towns of Hail and Dhagmar. The tribe has since been very frieudly with
His Highness and their Shaikhs have occasionally visited Maskat. Early in
January His Highness endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation between
the Imam and himself. With this object in view lie invited the rebel Chiefs to
meet His Highness’ emissary, Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad an Nai’imi, at
Sib. Only a few of the important Chiefs responded to this invitation and their
demands were so extraordinary that it was impossible for His Highness to
agree to them. The negotiations for peace th us came to an unsuccessful
close- These negotiations have formed the subject of a separate report.
In April the Political Agent addressed a letter to tho Imam and his two
Lieutenants, Shaikhs Hamyar bin Nasir and Isa bin Saleh, to ascertain their
views and the terms on which they would be prepared to bring about a reconci­
liation between themselves and the Sultan of Maskat. Por some time
communications were exchanged between this Agency and the Imam and the
two Shaikhs mentioned above. The outcome of these negotiations was that a
meeting was arranged at Sib in the middle of September. The Political Agent
visited Sib thrice in this connection in H. M. S. u Dalhousie ”, The Imam
sent Shaikh Isa bin Saleh as bis emissary to meet the Political Agent. Shaikh
Isa was accompanied by the Imam’s Qazi, Abdulla bin Rashid, and other
Shaikhs with their followings. Altogether about 400 people accompanied
Shaikh Isa at Sib.} The Imam’s emissary put forward such terms that it was
not possible to agree to them and there ended the negotiations for peace.
A separate report ha9 formed the subject of this meeting.
The latter part of the year has been practical!? quiet and no activity on
the part of the Imam or his men has been recorded.
The 102nd K. E. O. Grenadiers were relieved by the 126th Baluchistan
Infantry on the 16th April. The latter regiment and the 95th Bussell's
Infantry remained at Bait al Falaj till the end of tho year. There was one
death from sun stroke among the British officers in July.
Thero is very little to be said on this subject. The Maskat Arms
Warehouse has worked well during the
Arm* Traffic.
year and His Highness has enforced the
Warehouse Regulations as conscientiously aud effectively as could be expected
of him. There were no fresh imports of arms during the year under report
and therefore tho statements which usually accompanied this report have this
year been eliminated.
Occasional arms smuggling cases have been brought to the notice of tha
Agency. Eleven Afghans, who wore bound for Jask and Bandar Abbas, and
suspected to be arms dealers, wore sent back to India in January.