Page 490 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

66 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT
bin Nasir rules in complete authority and apparently with consider
attempt at justice. 4 e
The piquet line at Bait ul-Falaj to the west of Muttrab and at
south of Maskat continued to bo held 1/
British Troops In Oman.
troops of tho Indian Army. ^
At the beginning of the year the place was garrisoned by the Oja
Russell's Infantry, and one Wing of the 108th Infantry. ®
On the 18th January 1916, the 91th Russell’s Infantry relieved tlio 95th
Russoll’s Infantry, the latter leaving for Nowshora ou the 27th January IO^q
The second Wing of the 108th Infantry arrived from Bombay on the
13tli February. The regiment, however, supplied one detachment for Persia
On tho 13th November the 9dth Russell’s Infantry left for Tank leaving
tho 108th Infantry less ona company in Persia to protect Muttrah and
Maskat.
The enemy made no definite movement against the troops but some shots
were exchanged at Sidab with a party who attempted to stalk No. 1 Piquet on
the night of the 29 th March. There were no casualties on either side.
His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Squaviron, visited
Maskat in his Flag Ship H.M.S.
Natal
“ Euryalus” on the 1th April, the usual
salute being given aud returned.
Most of the ships of the East India Squadron vistod the port during tie
year.
A fire broke out at the Naval Coal Dep6t on the 22nd July. It wa>
extinguished with the fire engine under the escort with the assistance of a
boat’s party from H.M.S. “ Philomel.”
Atnon? the upper classes a certain pro-Turk sympathy exists and the
movement of the Sharif of Mecca ha<
Effect of tho war.
found little support in Maskat.
His action has been condemned since it is argued that the Turks were the
only Moslem power strong enough to bo the political and religious centre for
Muhammadanism and it is considered that the Sharif will never be powerful
enough to stand alone but will need to depend upon the support of CbristiaL
powers. There is thus a Pau-Islamic feeling which results in an anti-EuropeaL
under-current.
On the other hand one Ibrahim Adhan was deported from Maskat by the
Sultan for speaking against the Sharif of Mecca.
The victory at Baghdad impressed the public with the power of the British
and indeed ihey already look upon the annexation of Oman in the fullness o:
time as a matter of course.
Reliable reports were received of a steady stream of arms in small packet
which were carried to the Mekran coos’
Arms Traffic.
in dhow3 which trade between Oman *Cu
Mekran. .
News of the smuggling of arms in quantities exceeding ICO were rare*,
obtained, the only definite cases being two amounts of 300 each in Decent1
and one of 100 rifles in July.
One of the former cases of 300 rifles was confirmed from Jask.
Rifles now exported are mainly of Martini or older makes but it is
suspected that magagine rifles are exported from Barka and the ports of
Batinah coast. His Majesty’s ships being otherwise engaged have
unable to fake up this question.
Ammunition is more scarce than are rifles and it is stated that to pure*1
any number of rounds it is necessary to consent to buy a rifle os well. ^
The import of arms has ceased only one case being reported, 9 h*s ,
Js referred to above as consisting cf the 300 riflo9 which wire re-export ^
J ask and tbeir arrival confirmed from that place. The rifles were broug
8 ur from Djibouti and tbeueo taken via Barka to the Mekran coast.

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