Page 286 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

88
CHAPTER EIGHTH.

(II).—Revolt in Hasa and piracies in Katif and Bahrein waters.
1878-1881.

327. In October 187S the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf telegraphed
to Colonel Nixon, staling that tlio neigh­
Reported revolt iu El-IInia.
bourhood of Katif was very unsafe and that
frequent piracies were being committed, and asking whether the Turkish
authorities would assent to our acting against pirates, lie also reported that
the sons of Sand bin Fey sal had revolted in province of Hasa and captured
Damnum. Abdullah bin Feysal was said to be supporting the movement and
the Turkish authority over the province of Hasa was endangered. Colonel
Ross added that urgent orders for the despatch of troops were necessary.
328. Abdullah Pasha, in reply to a telegram from Colonel Nixon, admitted
that insecurity to a certain extent existed in tho neighbourhood of Katif, but
maintained that sutlieient troops had already been despatched. The Turkish
authorities also declined to accept Colonel Ross’ proposal that the British
Government should assist them in acting against pirates. The operations of
H. M. S. Vulture restored sea communications and rendered the waterway
Political 1, January 1879. No. 300. ** ****** tUe ^ °f O^ober.

3-9. Up to this time reports from Nejd showed that the rising against
Political A., January 1879, No. 315. tho Turks there had not proved formidable.
The Arabs of Ilasa wero said to have
assured the acting Governor of support in case of attack from outside, but they
demanded relief from the misconduct and corruption of the local officials. The
principal tribes in revolt were those concerned in the piracies complained of
by Colonel Ross, viz., the Boni Hajir, the Ajman, and the Amayer.
330. On the 7th November Colonel Nixon reported to Her Majesty’s
Ambassador at Constantinople that the
Political A., January 1878, No. 319.
, . country near Basrah was quieting down,
as 10 Montcfik had heard that Nasir Pasha, their Chief, had been re-appointed
Governor-General of Basrah.
331. On the 15th February 1879 Colonel Ross reported the occurrence of
Political A., September 1879, No. 90. frequent robberies in the villages of
Bahrein attended with sovcral murders.
Several of the robbers were arrested and severely punishod, hut the ringleader
Ali-bin-Jabir, although captured, managed to effect his escape. Thero were
strong suspicions that Ins escape was arranged with the cognizance of the Chief,
but Sheikh Esau in a letter to Colonel Ross denied this. Ali-bin-Jabir was said
to have joined the Beni Hajir pirates.
332. On the 5lli March 1879 the Naval Commandcr-in-Ghief was asked
Political A., September 1879, No. 98. to station vessel at or near Bahreiu so
long as tho Resident considered the mea­
sure necessary.
333. Iu his despatch No. 7 of the 20th February 1879, Secretary of Srnto
Sicrc*. September 1879, No. 10. expressed approval of the measures taken
... of the repression and punishment of
nc s of piracy in the waters of the Persian Gulf and adjoining Arab const,
olwervcd^11 Government of India despatch No. 0 of 17th January 1879. lie
'u The faejg
Alauding w'tb the T«irkish°Gov!»rm« -*0 mB to ,n(h’catc tlic expediency of an curly undcr-
B
for order along t]10 Arnbi.in «.i oio r1^ar^ to Ottoman jurisdiction and responsibility
°
roceivu, at ns early a duto an i-ossiM . .f nnd 18 lhoroforo important Hint I shoo'd
C.iqdciI 10 lb® matter." ' ^ 10 rxPl'cs8:on of tlio views of Your Excellency in