Page 256 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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It was also decided at the recommendation of Akif Pasha to rebuild Zebarali and
Odeid (See the Katar Prdcis). Garrisons
External A. August ]8S8, Noi. 411-41G.
were also stationed at lias Tanavali and
Bidaa in 1889, which numbered 400 men, their ostensible object boing to carry
out the wishes of Her Majesty’s Government for the effective suppression of
piracy on the west coast of the Persian Gulf.
222. Said Pasha succeeded Akif Pasha
Bold Pasha Srd timo 1801-04. as Mutassarif of Hasa aud arrived at Hasa
External A., Juno 1801, Not. 8GG-3G9.
in May 1891.
His policy was to embrace the conciliation of the Bedouins, the restora­
tion of their subsidies forfeited by his predecessor, and the removal of grievances
previously allowed to pass unchecked. Arrangements were made in 1891
whereby the caravan route between Hasa and Ojair had become safe, and tra­
vellers free from molestation by Bodouins.
223. In March 1892 it was reported that the Kaim Makam of Katif, had
received instructions to appoint officials
Administration Boport for 1892-03.
at Katif, Ojair and Katar, to levy port-
dues. This report proved to bo correct as regards Katif at least, for in Decem­
ber the Chief of Bahrein represented that port-dues were being levied there on
Baherin boats. Enquiry, however showed that this tax was levied on all boats
entering Katif harbour and not on those of Bahrein alone.
The Beni Hajir pirates carried on their depredations at Katif itself and
close to it, of which an account appears elsewhere.
224. About the middle of October 1892 the Vali of Basrah accompanied
by two of Turkish gun-boats and a regiment of infantry, arrived at Katif,
en route for Hasa. The troops were disembarked and sent in boats to Ojair
to march with His Excellency to Hasha.
225. The Yali, soon after his arrival, was stated to have arrested the
Kaim Makam for some unknown reason, and ho was afterwards taken as a
prisoner to Hasa. His successor appears to have inaugurated a more effective
policy, for proclamations were issued by him at Katif, nouhtless by the autho­
rity of the Yali, declaring Bahrein and Oman to be within Turkish jurisdiction,
and Turkish flags were offered to the nacodas of Bahrein boats, who, however,
refused to accept them. Under these circumstances there was at first suspi­
cion that the troops with the Wali might be used against Bahrein. The Porte,
however, disclaimed any intention of so employing them.
226. In May 1892 it was reported that a caravan proceeding from Hasa to
Ojair under an escort of twenty-five Turkish soldiers was attacked on the 14th
idem by some three hundred Bedouins of the Monasir, Beni Hajir, and Morrah
tribe, who were reported to have killed fifteen and wounded ten persons; car­
ried off booty estimated at Rs. 60,000 in cash, and Its. 20,000 in goods, and
plundered some forty pilgrims with the caravan.
227.. They were said to have sent the booty to Katar, their place of refuge,
with Jasim-bin-Thani, for sale there. Various robberrios in the neighbourhood
of Hasa were attributed to the Beni Hajir and Morrah, and the townspeople
were said to travel in bands of a score or so of armed men under the escort of a
Bedouin whose presence insured their safety from the tribesmen.
22S. 'Hie first action of the Yali on arrival at Hasa appears to have been
to take security from the principal people of the town and neighbourhood, as he
bad done at Katif, to have no dealing with the Beni Hajir, Morra, and Mona*
sir, who thereupon retreated into the desert.
229.. A number of the Arabs of Hasa were appointed to convey caravans
between it and Ojair, thus leaving the Wali free to employ the whole of bis
force against the Bedouins. The troops appear to have made one or two raids
against the tribe, and carried off a number of cattle and camels, but no serious
encouuter took place.
230. In February 1893 the Wali marched from Hasa taking with him the
regiment of infantry which accompanied him from Basrah, and three hundred