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At Debai.—'Two slaves had been imported at this place by a Bahrein sub­
ject and a demand of the Shargah Agent for their surrender was
refused. A fine of cqo dollars was exacted from the officials of the
Chief of Shargah in the latter’s absence.
69. It is interesting to note that one of the dhows of Salim-ul-Badi at Ras-
ul-Khima was observed to be (lying a French flag and he was spoken of as a
French subject. Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot was of opinion that the discontinu­
ance of the grant of French colours at Obokand elsewhere would perhaps be more
effectual than systematic cruising in putting a stop to slave trade.
70. The Resident also drew attention of the Officiating Political Agent at
Maskat to the increase of the slave trade,
Secret E., March 1893, Nos. *7S-I79-
more particularly on the Batineh coast!
On reminding the Sultan of his treaty obligation, he professed to discredit the
rumours, and the only action he could be induced to take was to issue a pro-
clamation re-iterating the purport of the Slave Trade Treaty of 1873.
71. In December 1S94 the Resident reported two cases of Slave Trade on
the Arab coast. In one of them five
Secret E., April 1895, Nos. 5-17.
slaves were taken to Ras-ul-Khima by a
Maskat subject, named AbdulIa-bin-Salman of Khadreh, who having failed to
dispose of them, subsequently carried them away. In the other case one slave
was imported by a native of Sur and sold to one Jasim-bin-Yakub, a subject of
Ras-ul-Khima. This slave died soon after being sold.
72. The-Government of India ordered that a fine of 70 dollars should be
levied from the Chief of Ras-el-Khima for the one slave sold in his territory in
the second case, and that in the first case the displeasure of Government at his
disregard of his treaty obligations should be marked by inflicting on him a fine
of ao dollars for each of the five slaves. So a total sum of Rs. 195 was ordered
to be recovered from the Chief (Foreign Department letter No. 437-E., dated
38th February 1895).
73. The proceedings of the Government of India were approved by Her
Majesty’s Government (despatch of the
Secret E., May 1895, N01. 358*360.
Secretary of State, No. 14-Secret, dated
i ith April 1895).
(v) Slave Trade activity in 1898-99, The French Flag Question,

74. There were in 1893 many indications of a considerable and perhaps in­
deed an increased activity in slave traffic.
Secret E.. August 1896, Noj. 86*93
Gulf Administration Report for 1895*96. In the course of the intimate concern with
the affairs of Bahrein, involved in our
support of it, through the trouble with which it was threatened from Zobara,
many circumstances came to light showing that slaves were imported to the
Pirate and Kular coasts in large numbers. There was also evidence of a brisk
trade on the Oman coast.
75. Reports having been received of an importation of slaves at Abu Thabi,
the matter formed the subject of investigation in a visit which the Resident made
to the coast in February in the R.I.M.S. Lawrence accompanied by H.M.S.
Lapwing. It was difficult to obtain exact details, there being a general reluc­
tance to give evidence as to specific facts or figures. From the enquiry, however,
the conclusion was clear that there had been importation by sea, and that a con-
siderable number had been brought to Abu Thabi, some being probably Pas^e^
on to Katar and other places. The Chief could not deny the fact that there had
been an importation, but, in admitting the fact of the traffic, sought to deten
himself by alleging the general prevalence, without check of the traffic, an 1 s
long continuance with the knowledge of every person on the coast, and asserting
that only a part of the slaves brought to the coast reached Abu Thabi, a ter
number had been disposed of at the intermediate ports touched at. e
alleged that the British Agent at Shargah largely connived in the traffic 0 s av