'33 File 665 Hostilities between Shaikh Zaid and Shaikh Jasim' [‎309r] (652/845)

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4s. I tliink perhaps the Government of India would not think it expedient
in present circumstances to exact a penalty from Shaikh Jasim, which would
mean employment of Naval force; hut I think it would he desirable to authorize
me to intimate to Jasim the disapproval and displeasure of Government at his
action, and to inform him that a repetition of it would lead to measures of a
more serious nature. The delicacy of the position as regards Katr requires me to
seek the instruction of Government in this case.
No. 68, dated tlie 30th April 1889.
From—The Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent at Bahrain,
• To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
I beg to forward herewith a letter from Jasim-hin-Thani to your address,
in reply to your No. 103, in which he says that Sila is within his territories .
This is his own assertion, which he makesjn order to exculpate himself from
hlame. He forgets, however, that notwithstanding his wish to reside at Odeyd
which is under Sila, and which is distant from the latter place one day's jour
ney, he was not allowed to do so.
As regards Sahakha, its soil is covered in some parts with saline incrus
tations and in others is sandy. No grass grows on it. It begins from near
Sila and ends at J)afrah. Sahakha is one day's journey distant from either of
these places,
Jasim says that he despatched to Sila only two boats containing provisions.
This assertion goes against him. If Sila is within his territories, and he is
prepared to repel even by force of arms any one that might come there, why
does he attempt to palliate by saying that he sent there only two boats ? He
refers to the incident at Dafrah, and says that Zaid had written to him saying
that he (Zaid) had no connection with the people of that place. If so, why
did Jasim slaughter them wholesale, and what crime had they committed ?
According to his assertion, it is Zaid who is his enemy ; it is therefore
absurd of Jasim to wreak his vengeance on them, when they are not in any
way connected with the enemy.
"What he means, however, is that some thieves were infesting Dafrah,
about whom he wrote to Zaid, who might have probably said that the matter
did not concern him.
The fact is that Jasim is now trying by all the means in his power to ex
culpate himself.
Dated the 21st ApriJ 1889.
From— J asim-bin-Thani,
To—-The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
After compliments. —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter dated 25th Eejjub (28th March) in which you mention that I despatch
ed a boat to Kufariyah and Sila. But these places are within my terri
tories, and I have told you so before. It is a matter of public notoriety that
Sabakha is the zone which separates Katr from Dafrah. A portion of Sabakha
on the side of Katr is comprehended within Katr territory ; and it is my duty
to repel even by force of arms any one that encroaches upon Sila and other
places within my territory.
I request you to be impartial in the matter. If you have any doubt
as to what I say, you can ascertain, and you will find that what I say is true.
If you enquire of people who know and are just, you will find that Dafrah is
not called so until past Sabakha. Is it ever said that people residing at Sila
are residing at Dafrah ? It is an established fact that the limit of Oman on
our side is first Dafrah. It is Zaid who has invaded my country, killed
some people, and made others captives, without there being any previous cause,
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