Page 76 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

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402 Records of Bahrain

by' tho pirates.. This oulrngo appears to have been committed actually within
Turkish territorial waters, and has boou brought to the notice of the Turkish
authorities through the Political Agent at Bagdad.
On tho 14th Novomber the Resident at Busiliro received information that
Zobara had been taken by the Slickb of El Bida, assisted by somo Bedouins
under Nasir bin Mobnrik, tho Bahrein refugee. Colonel Ross accordingly
determined to start nt once for Bahrein and ascertain tho actual state of
affairs, aud after telegraphing to the Political Agent, Turkish Arabia, and Mr.
llobertsou at Busrah to inform them of what had occurred, ho left on tho
A following day with Captain IVodehouso in llor Majesty’s Ship Teaser. On
rUpoftcti arrival at Bahrein lie found that the information ho had received was correct,
i ftnd tliat lll° l,00l)lc °f Bahreiu wore somewhat alannod lest they also should
r attacked. Adequate precautionary measures for the protection of the island
iki ,10WCVCl’ 1)0011 taken by Captain Dickon, Commandor of Her Majesty's Ship
M Arab, who succeeded Captain Pringlo of tho Vulture in chargo of tho station.
to H Tho Chief of Bahrein was most anxious to assist tho pcoplo of Zobara on the
Froun(!tlinfc t,l° ocoupation of that place by tho Shekh of El Bida and Nasir biu
A -Mobnrik, who wero his enemies, would exposo Bahrein to constant dangor from
1 sudden attacks, and also that the Naeym people would bccomo hostile towards
him, if ho failed to assist them upon this occasion. The Resident, however,
directed him to abstain from all intcrfcrcuco in Zobara affairs, a decision with
which tho Chief was much dissatisfied. On tho 18th November tho Resident
proceeded in tho Teaser from Bahrein to Zobara and foun l that tho town had
been completely destroyed, and that tho Naoym inhabitants, in number about
000, wero closely besieged in an outlying fort, called Morcyz, by Shekh of El
Bida, with about 2,000 men. A largo force of Bedouins under Nasir bin Mobnrik
was also iu the neighbourhood. The pcoplo of Zobara were much outnumbered
nod did not appear to have offered any resistance. The attack was said to
have been mado iu retaliation for piracies and raids made upon the district of
Bida, and was not ordered by tho Turkish Governor of Busrah.
Tho Rcsidont informed the Shekh that his object was to prevont him and
bis allios oxtending their operations beyond tho mainland and warnod him that
Her Majesty’s ships would repel by forco any attacks upon Bahrein. Tho
Shekh received tho Resident's communications civilly, but said that bo could
not bo responsible for tho acts of Nasir biu Mobarik, when beyond tho limits
of his authority. Tho Resident then returned to Bahrein, aud on tho 10th
November rccoivcd a tolcgraphic messago from tho Governor of Busrah asking
him to forward ordors to tho Governor of Katif directing him to send tho
Turkish gun-boat Is/canderia with somo soldiers to Zobara, with instructions to
tho Commander to uso his utmost endeavours to restore tranquillity, and to
warn tho Shekh of El Bida not to undertako any hostilo movomont against
Bahrein. The ltosidont gavo this telegram to tho Commander of tho Tskandcria
which was then anchored at Ras Tanoorah, aud a report on the actiou taken by
tho Turkish local authorities is now awaited.
In tho opinion of tho Resident tho establishment of a Turkish post at
Zobara or in its vicinity would bo tho best way of preserving order along tho
coast, aud to this view the Chiof of Bahrein agrees.
The Wahabi rising against Turkish authority in the districts of El Bida
aud El Katif appears to liavo been almost ontircly quelled.