Page 288 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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be occupied and the coast patrollod, a vessel of war being stationed at Bahrein
for a time.

340. Tho Government of India directed Colonel Ross to order H. M. S.
Political A., Seplcmbor 1879, No. 172. Spartan to cruise in the neighbourhood of
, . Katif and to protect Bahrein as required
by treaty. Ho was authorized to suppress piracy by sea and to punish maritimo
offenders whatever their nationality, but operations on tho mainland were
prohibited. He was also empowered to place a British officer temporarily at
Political A., September 1879, No. 178. Bahrein, and Captain Durand, the First
Assistant to tho Resident, proceeded
thither.
341. On the 15th February Colonel Ross telegraphed that on the 11th
February thirty Beni Ilajir from Zaliran
Political A., September 1879, No. 174.
had committed a raid on Azaria, 10 miles
from Manamali on the larger island of Bahrein, and killed one man. The Chief
of Bahrein desired permission to seize the boats in possession of the pirates at
Zahxan, and begged either for complete protection or permission to attack his
enemies by sea. Colonel Ross considered the Chief’s fears to be well founded
and recommended that our ships of war should be employed against tho pirates.
Ho was desired to report his plans after
Political A., September 1879, No. 176.
consultation with the naval officers on the
spot.
342. Colonel Ross then recommended the thorough examination of the
part of the coast infested by robber gangs,
Political A„ September 1879, No. 178.
and the recovery of Bahrein vessels in
tneir possession. The pirates wore to be prevented as far as possible from
getting boats, and he askod that a British vessel of war should he stationed at
Political A., September 1879, No 179. or near Bahrein. The Government of
India sanctioned these proposals on the
understanding that Colonel Ross’ plans had been laid in consultation, with the
naval officers, and that no expedition would be undertaken on the mainland
beyond reaoh of the guns of the British vessels.
343. The two vessels stolen from Bahrein were ultimately recovered by
Politick a., September 1870, No.. 189*181. H. M. S. Vulture, and early in April the
. Resident reported that matters had quieted
down, and that Captain Durand and his escort might loavo Bahroin.
e detailed correspondence upon all tho events reported by tele-
sr1.. £
'•".““■"•.“-rT-ir
*„ ” “ ” " Hussein had boon unsuccessful, that no
property was recovered, and no pirates
captured or punished.
p no i order8 issued by the Government of India are contained in
o a., September 1879, No. 199. Foreign Department letter to Colonel
which called for a furtlmr r«n^ . K.os9’ .No* 10^P.t of 25th March 1879
taken in accordance wifh Porfc Rowing in.detail the results of tho action
Ross. ^10 telegraphic instructions conveyed to Colonel

collusion with the Beni Haiir it?Sf^ a Nakhoda of Bahrein had been in
action taken by Colonel Rost, tIieir ?ttac^ on Azaria under Ali-bin-Jabir, the
man s seizure was approved l;essi?& the Chief of Bahroin to effect the
opportunity of expl&inffta was directed to take an early
with his subjects and dependent116! fc**at ho must show no laxity in dealing
piracies, and that the obli"nHnno 8 W^° bo proved to be implicated,in
bis territories in no wav ^y tho British Government towards
ensure, as far as lay within Mo from taking necessary precautions to
power, the safety of his own territory)