Page 47 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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"To Major Smith, Angaum : 'Procoed with Kwangtung to Bahrein and rendezvous Clyde
I doubt tbo Amir molesting. If ho do, prevent any boats arriving touching tho island. If
absolutely necessary, address a letter by direction to Amir informing him that I ara instructed
to maintain tho maritimo peace, and am ombarking for tho Arab coast. If all seem quiet at
Bahrein, have Clyde thoro and proceed in Kwangtung along Arab coast, warning all parties
against breach of truco, and informing them of my approach. Prom Arab coast return to
Angaum and report, and Icok out for mail steamer.'"
131. Theso instructions were approved, and Colonel Polly was requested to
proceed to tho Persian Gulf with all convenient speed, and invested with dis­
cretionary power to recognize Azan bin Glieis or otherwise as circumstances
might seem to require, but with the explicit reservation of all questions of
detail, Treaty, Convention, or claim to territory, as suggested, and provided that
tho advantage of Azan’s recognition were not neutralized by this reservation.
(Reportod to Secretary of State in No. 19, 15th March 1870).
132. On 5th March Major Way telegraphed :—
" Mask at quiet. Syud Azan writes, 1st March, from Beraymi, ' Sheikh Zaced of Abu-
thabi has arrived and sworn friendship and promised to oppose Wahabis. Mahomed Ali
Naeera sworn allegiance and promised Littoral Chiefs should visit me at Sohar. Sha'nt visit
coast, but shall return to Sohar when arrangements finished for protection of Beraymi. Wa­
habis appear to be still at Katar. Not believed here that Wahabis can now como by laud,
and half of war tax has been returned. Can’t say at this distance if attempt will be mado by
sea. Amulgavine Chief's cousin and Wahabi emissaries arrived at Kishm, and Syud Salem
left for Amulgavine with them on 23rd/ "
133. On 21st March Colonel Pelly wrote :—
"All accounts concur in stating that the Wahabi Amir is still at hi? own fort of
Ojair as already submitted. His Highness probably hesitates to leave the Abuthabi Chief in
bis rear, and his advance is, no doubt, rendered more difficult through the want of rain and
consequent proverty of drinking water along the line of march.
" The alliance between the Abuthabi Chief and Syud Azan, and the fact of the latter's
return to Maskat, tend to Bhow that Azan's position is increasingly strong."
134. On 2nd April 1870 Colonel Pelly telegraphed:—
" Wahabi Amir still in his own territories. Doubt if he will attcmp.t Beraymi this
year. Bahrein proceedings have had good effect. All quiot down to date. Clyde 6till at
Bahrein watching Wahabis."
135. Colonel Pelly reported on 8th April (in No. 147 from Bombay Go­
vernment, 25th April 1870):—
“The Wahabis. It appears that some months ago the Wahabi Amir collected bis
forces in the neighbourhood of Ilasa with intent to attack Beraymi. He communicated with'
the Chiefs of thn Littoral as per margin, in view to their co-operation or neutrality, and these
Chiefs, with the exception of Abuthabi, returned conciliatory answers, but the Wahabi
Amir was deterred from further movement by the following considerations
u 1st.—That rain not having fallen, water and grass were not available for liis horses and
meu along tho line of marchj
“ 2n<f/y.—That the combination of the Abuthabi Chief with the Maskat Sultan rendered
the march raoro hazardous;
u3rdly.—That the Amir, conscious of having harboured one of the Bahrein'pirates and of
having received the Bahrein plunder in his territories, feared that, soouer or later,
we should demand satisfaction from him at his ports—Ojair and Kateef; and i
" 4thly.—In a minor degree, the Amir was suspicious of intrigue on the part of his
relatives at his capital, Itiadh.
"Influenced by the above considerations, the Wahabi Amir refrained from marching,
and the season is now so advanced that it is doubtful if be will attempt anything this year.
Tho most recent report is to tho effect that he is already rcturniug towards his capital."
136. On 7th May 1870 Colonel Polly continued:—
"Several communications I havo recently received concur in stating that the Amir him­
self has returned to his capital, and that Nasir-bin-Mobarck, tho pirato Chief, who escaped from
Bahrein, has sustained a defeat at the hands of cortaio of the inland Wahabi tribes. Some ;
of tho reports allcgo that Nasir-bin-Mobarok himself was killed in the fight, while other reports
aro to tho offcct that he fled, and that nothing certain had since boon heard of him."
" P.5.—Sinco writing tbo above I have received a letter from the Bahrein Chief, in which
ho stales that Nasir-bin-Mobarek was killed. It appears further that tbo defeat of his tribe
(the Howajir) waB complete."
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