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91. Colonel Polly was at tho same time requested to enquire and report on
Bo.nimy Government later No. 3110, data! tiio the ox tent of mischief committed at Sur,
2iu December 1905. mid whether anything might reasonably
bo domanded on this account from the Wahabi Chief.
95. These proceedings were duly reported, to the Government of India,
Bombay Government letter No. 107, dated the and the Foreign Departtixentiat .Calcutta
L'lst December 1805. was subsequently informed by telegraph,
that no traco of any such Treaty as that mentioned 'by tho Wahabi Ohiof
Letter form Mr. Secretary Muir, No. CG, dated tl.o COVlld bo foimd Oil tllO l’CCords of .tllC Bon)-
2itu January lsco. hay Government oV of the.Bushiro llesi-
deucy. In reply, the Government of India after alluding to this fact, whioh a
search in their own records had helped to confirm, observed :—
"It will be advisable for the Bombay Government to inform the Wahabi Amir that the
British Government is not aware of the existence of any formal agreement between itself and
the Amir; but that if any such document does exist, a copy of it, no doubt, must be in the
Amir’s possession, and the Amir will do well to produce it for verification.
“ The Amir should he further given to understand that the Imaum of Mashat is our
friend and ally, and the British Government while hoping for a happy settlement of any
differences which there may now be between the Imaum and the Amir, cannot regard any
encroachment on the Imaum’s territory without grave concern.
" Ilis Excellency in Council considers that it would be inexpedient to press the Wahabi
Amir for compensation for any loss which British subjects may have incurred during the
lato hostilities.”
96. Before these instructions reached Colonel Felly’s hands, events in the
Persian Gulf rapidly assumed a momentous aspect arising from the determina
tion of the Alaskat Government to proceed to open hostilities with the Waha
bis.
97. On the 21st December, Colonel Pelly re-visited the Sultan of Maskat
and communicated to His Highness the offer of Government to aid him in guns
and ammunition. Ho had entered on preparations for blockading the Wahabi
ports of Khatif and Ojair, having received solemn assurances from tho Bahrein
authorities that they would co-operate with him. It was arranged that Syud
Turki, who had recently given unequivocal proofs of fidelity and attachment
to his brother the Sultan's cause, should proceed with the Maskat fleet to
Bahrein in view to carry out the contemplated blockado.
98. Colonel Pelly being desirous of examining the state of affairs on the
Arab Coast proceeded to Bahrein with the Sultan’s ships, and en route communi
cated with the Chiefs of the Pirate Coast, reminding them of tho aggressive
policy of the Wahabis, and stating that the English Government would not
object to their aiding the Sultan by land. During this time the Sultan was
engaged in collecting his tribes, and equipping them for an advance towards
Beraymi, a strategic point of great importance—threatening tho Maskat
territories and tho Pirate Coast.
99. The Waliabi9 wore not indifferent to these warlike preparations. They
LiouUr.snl*C>.loncl Polly's letter to Government, had a short time before moved a detach
No. 1, dated tie Ctli Jjnuury lbCG. ment upon the port of Saham, only a few
hours distance from Sohar itself, and driven the Bunnya residents into the sea,
one of whom perished by drowning. “ It is remarkable ** wrote Colonel Pelly
"that at the very time this raid had taken place the Sultan was under the im
pression that the Wahabi leader was concealing himself. One noticcablo
feature of theso inroads is that those among tho invaders who arc bond flue
"\\ ahabis of Nejd seem to be comparatively few. They are rather the lead
ers of frontier tribes on the borders of Oman itself.”
100. Commodore Montresor concentrated his Squadron at Bombay early
JKSS'-"■—>—■“ SSluhfyKrVu'iX
“ that he should comply with any requisition he might receive from the G°'cr.
nor General. ” On the 22nd December, H. M's. S. Highflyer cominandcd
by Captain Puslcy having embarked the guns intended for the Sultau of Masqat
