Page 27 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

15

57. Ab a result apparently of this correspondence, the Indian Navy made
a strong demonstration off Iho Batina
Limit of th» invation.
Coast, and the Resident in the Persian
Gulf addressed forciblo remonstrances both to Feysal at ltindh and to his Lieute­
nant at Beraymi. Theso measures proved successful; satisfactory replies were
received from the Wahabis, and the storm blew over. The Maskat Government
agreed to pay Foyeal an annual tribute of 5,000 crowns*; 2,000 crowns were
also given as a present to Syud-bin-Mutluk, and for these considerations the
Wahabis evacuated the fort of Mujees and retired. Beraymi still remained in
Wahabi occupation, hut Syud-bin-Mutluk’s popularity among the neighbouring
Arabs was short-lived, and his position there became frequently one of danger.

XV.—Waliabi attempt on Bahrein, 1847—1851.

58. During the seven years succeeding the events just noticed, the only
instances of AVuhabi aggression in the direction of the Persian Gulf appear
to be two displays of pressure on the Chief of Bahrein, the first in ltdi7, and
the second in 1851. On the latter occasion the Resident in the Persian Gulf
acting upon what he believed to bo the wish of Her Majesty’s Secretary of
8tate for Foreign Affairs, despatched the entire Persian Gulf Squadron to
Bahrein with instructions to interfere forcibly, if necessary. And the step
was a salutary one, for without it Bahrein would certainly have fallen into
Feysal’a grasp : as it was, Feysal found himself obliged to make peace with
the Chief, it seems too as if from this time forward Feysal adopted a much
more conciliatory tone in the not unfrequont communications that followed
between himself and the Resident.
69. A letter of this period from the Resident is of some interest as showing
the designs upon Arabia then entertained by either the Ottoman Porte or, as
is more probable, Abbas Pasha, the half-crazy debauchee who succeeded
Mahomed Ali in Egypt. Colonel Hennell speaks of the probable acquisition of
Bahrein by the Wahabis as being tantamount to its acquisition by the Porto,
and justifies this assertion by the following considerations :—the Amir pays
a regular tribute to the Turkish Government; there are accredited envoys from
Abbas Pasha in the Amir’s camp; the Wahabi Agent at Koweit (a Turkish
port) passes himself off as an envoy from the Pasha of Egypt; there are
Turkish cmissaiies along the Arabian Coast of the Persian Gulf; and Turkish
steamers arc in course of equipment for servico in the Gulf.

XVI.—Invasion of Oman by Abdullah son of Feysal —Treaty between
Maskat and the Wahabis, 1852—1853.
60. In 3852 during the absence of the Imam of Maskat in his African
possessions, and while his incompetent son, Syud Thoweyni (the present Imam),
was conducting the Government of Maskat, the Wahabis once more appeared
in threatening force on the frontier. The time was well chosen; for there
were disturbances and dissensions throughout all the Maskat territory, especially
in Batinah, where the Imam had recently seized the Chiefship of Sohar under
ciroumstances of singular treachery. The Wahabi leader, who this time was
Peysal’s son and heir-apparent, Abdullah, “oarne in the oharaoter of arbiter
and rudresser of wrongs suffered by his children (tho Sheikhs) in Oman. He
took up his position at Beraymi and summoned tho Chiefs to attend him."
As on the former occasion, the Arab tribes flocked to pay him their allegiance
and offer service. Abdullah at onco “ sent forth demands for the immediate
cession of Sobar and the payment of tribute so large in amount that it was plain
he sought but a pretext, in tho refusal that must of necessity follow, to attack
and lay waste tho districts of Batinah." Tho state of Maskat was indeed in
imminent peril. But now tho British Resident appeared on the scene, and by
dint of oalling the Jonsmi Chief sharply to ordor, remonstrating with Abdullah,
and sending a vessel of war to cruiso along tho Arabian Coast, ho enabled Syud
Thoweyni to enter into negotiations with the invader. The result was a Treaty
of allianco offensive and defensive between the two parties, “ whereby the
Maskat Government agrcod to pay to tho Wahabi Amir an annual tribute