Page 259 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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was attacked by a part of tlio Morrn, Safrau and Beni Hajir Arabs. It was
said that nearly all the escort was killed and the few who escaped were held as
hostages for the safety of the Arab tribesmen who were in Turkish custody at
Hasa.
247. The new Governor’s administration was much wh.-.l was expected
from his infamous reputation. The follow­
Sccrot E, August 1003, No. 27 V.
ing instance of his oppression reported
by Colonel VVratislaw (10th March 1003) was typical of his ways:—
" The following rccout instance of almost incrcdiblo disregard for appcaraocos in satisfying
his rapacious instincts has raised the greatest indignation amongst Che Arab population,
not only in the Ilasa Saudjuk, but in Bavrah, and even as far as Bagdad. One of the prin­
cipal merchants of Kalif is Mansur Pasha, the local representativo of the Civil List. lie is
very rich, and Thalib Pasha soon saw iu lum a suitable subject for blackmail. Mansur, however,
declined to accede to the Mutesavrif's exertion, and lied to Basrah, and thence to Baghdad,
boon after, at the end of Jauunry Thalib Pasha nude a descent on Mansur’s house, and imprisoned
his brother, Abdul Hussain, Carrying off property, including pearls, .in which Mansur trades,
to a very considerable amount. Mr. Gaskin, the British Agent in Bahrein, reports that on
the 7th February tluoe dhows loaded with loot arrived there in charge of Mahomed Attile,
tho Mulesarrif’s confidemial man, and I learn that these vessels subsequently came into the
Shat-el-Arab and discharged their cargo at Scblich, tho Nalub’s livcr-sido residence about
15 miles from Basrah.
To excuse his conduct, Thalib has forwarded to the Wali a bundle of "seditious news­
papers” which, he asserted, bad been found iu Mansur’s house, and also reported that a consi­
derable number of rillos bad been seized at the same time.
This latter statement is very likely correct, for all Arabs, particularly those who have valu­
ables, possess aims, and the circumstance has not tho importance which might attach to it in
other parts of Turkey.
With regard to tho nowspapers, a strange light is thrown on the accusation by Mr.
Gaskin’s report, that on the Pth January Mahomed-bin Attik called on him and stated that
Tliakib Pa ►ha was anxious to see some copies of Arabic newspapers from Egypt, Constantinople,
London, and Paris, and made special mention of the Khalifa which is published in London
and asked for somo copies.. lie was told that the British Agency did not receive any, but
the inference obviously is that he was sent to collect such newspapers for subsequent discovery
at Mansur’s house
Meanwhile, Mansur Pasha at Baghdad had interested the Mushir, who is also acting
Wali, in his behalf, The Mushir communicated with the Wali and with Constantinople, and
the Wali has telegraphed to the Minister of tho of Interior requesting that a Special Commis­
sioner be sent to inquire, but has received no answer. IIo is much depressed at the idea of
having to hold an inquiry himself, as this will, lie considers, mean that he is to whitewash
Thalib, and so disgrace himself. He told me lie would rather resign; ho believes the news­
papers were placed in tho liou«c by Tlinlib’s orders, and exprcscs his astonishment that the
British do not interfere on behalf of Mausur, as the latter traded with British Iudian
pearl merchants, to whom many of the pearls seized by tho Mutosarraif belonged. This
is, I believe, tho ea6C, but 1 have as yet received no complaints from British subjects.
Mansur Pasha is a Shiah, which will tell in Thalib’s favour at Constantinople but is likely
to embitter local feeling at Kutif, where the Shiahs are numerous and influential.”

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