Page 290 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

92
Persian Gulf were amply sufficient for all purposes. His Excellency recom­
mended that a vessel should ho stationed at Bahrein perrmnently, until the
marauding tribes had entirely disappeared,and that the British India Mail
Steamers should call at Bahroin in going up and down the Gulf.
852. In our despatch to the Secretary of Slate, No. 77 of the 23rd June
1879, wo forwarded a tabular statement
Political A., September 1879, No. 838.
compiled by Colonel Boss showing in
detail the total reported losses from piracies on the Turkish- Arabian coast and
the cases in which, in his opinion, the British Government wore interested in
recovering indemnity. Our despatch also forwarded papers connected with the
xeoont course of events in the Persian Gulf.
853. A translation of Colonel Boss’ statoraent of piracies was given to
Abdullah Pasha, tho Governor of Basrah, who promised to make enquiries in the
matter, and a copy was also sent to Colonol Nixon with a request that ho
would urge the Turkish authorities (through whatever channel he might deem
most effectual) to recover tho amount plundered as far as possible. The total
losses were estimated at 67,008-26 krans, of which tho British Government
were considered to be interested in tho recovery of 8,831-25 krans. The
aotion taken by Colonel Nixon was to send a copy of the statement to Her
Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, and another to Mr, Robertson at
Basrah.
361. On the 11th March 1879 Colonel Boss visited Bahrein and stayed
Colonel Ross' visit to Bahroin in there till the 18th. He had sovoral inter­
March 1879. views with Sheikh Esau, and his brother
Political A., September 1879, No. 303.
Sheikh Ahmed, and found them in a state
of considerable irritation, because of the restraint placed on them in the matter
of reprisals towards tho mainland, the gist of their complaint being that whilst,
they themselves wore prevented from acting against the Beni Hajir and others,
Colonel Boss has not succeeded in obtaining restitution of property stolen or
compensation, nor had the Turkish Government tako n steps to- punish the
piratical Bedouins.
355. Colonol Boss invited Sheikh Esau to state any measures he was
desirous of having carried out, and to offer suggestions in connection with the
recent disturbances. Sheikh Esau’s requests were—
;
(1) That tho Bahrein robber, Ali-bin-Jabir,. and his associates, of whose
proceedings an account has been given in another part of this precis, and who
liad: been arrested by the Turkish authorities and sent a prisoner to El-Hasa,
should be handed over to him for punishment. In support of. this request the
Chief urged that when certain robbers concerned in tho Kashmir piracy at
Basrah had fled to Bahrein, ho had caused them to be seized and; surrendered
to the Turkish authorities.
Colonel Ross, in reply, promised that he would endeavour, to obtain the
extradition of the criminals, on the understanding that the Chief would bo res­
ponsible that they did not again-escape;
(2) That as the port of Zakunniyah, near Ojair, was a resort of- pirates,
either steps should he taken to prevent its being inhabited, or he should be
allowed to send some of bis own people to reside there.
To this Colonel Boss replied that the place was in Turkish territory,, and
that the^interference of Bahrein was impossible, hut that his statement should
he made known to. the Turkish authorities.
(3) That Colonel Boss would obtain restitution of 311 sheep which had'
been stolen from Bahrein and lauded in Turkish territory.
Colonel Boss promised to use his best endeavours in. tho matter..
Besides these specified requests 8heikli Esau intimated his* hope and’ ex­
pectation that with the aid of the British Government the valued all. property
plundered from his subjects in Turkish waters would be restored,, and. that
protection would be continued to the islands.