'ARBITRATION CONCERNING BURAIMI AND THE COMMON FRONTIER BETWEEN ABU DHABI AND SA'ŪDI ARABIA' [With maps] [‎119v] (243/541)

70
ANNEX B, No. 19
^i.C.
El-Bidaa.
^Perhaps in
a month.
El-hadhr as
distinguished
from the
Bedouins.
Precis of a Conversation between Shaikh Jasim, Ruler of Qatar, and the Political
Resident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , at al-Bidda, on October 5, 1888 m
[Muscat Archives, 1888 Book, part 4.]
After the usual interchange of complimentary enquiries after health, & c .,
Jasim said he had certain things to speak about if the Resident would hear him'
The Resident assented, and Jasim began by saying that as regards the matter of
the Banyas and the treatment he had received, he was unjustly treated. The
Resident told him the matter had been settled and did not require renewal.
Then he spoke about the matter of the outrages and depredations of the Beni
Hajir at sea; and said that notwithstanding that the greater part of the property
plundered belonged to him and his sons, and that he had resigned his office and
position at El-Bida and notified the same to all the people and to the Turks, the
Resident listened to the statements of people against him, and detained his property
at Bahrain. He was thus compelled to go after the offending Bedouins inland,
and succeeded in recovering what was possible: and this circumstance led to their
becoming his enemies. Even Nasir Bin Mubarik became angry with him, and if
they find an opportunity they would plunder him and even kill him; that not
withstanding the above results the Resident held him responsible. At first he
avoided the Turks, but when he was treated as above he had recourse to them;
and told them that at first he did not want them but now he did. They replied
that he should give them a letter of guarantee, saying that he will be obedient to
their orders; that he should accept a decoration from the Turkish Government,
and also a salary; that he should not correspond with the English. That he
should not allow their vessels to anchor in the Port*; nor allow any of them to
land. He had accepted all their conditions and gave them in writing what they
wanted. The matter was reported to Busrah and then telegraphed to Con
stantinople, then Nafiz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. came to El-Bida with instructions, and he had with
him the decoration and money for his salary. But he hesitated and thought that
if he accepted their offers they would be his masters and would then seize him.
Then he replied that he would keep his promises to them, but he would not accept
the decoration, as he did not want one. That he did all this because the
Resident had listened to what people said against him: even his brother was
against him and charged him with creating mischief and disturbance. That now
his object is to keep aloof from the Turks; that he did not want them; that his
object is to settle at Odaid, and that he would give a guarantee that no disturbance
shall take place at sea.
The Resident told him that in accordance with the approval of the British
Government Odaid belongs to the Chief of Aboothabee; and it was impossible
for him to settle there. Then Jasim said that if this cannot be done he would
settle inland to the south of Odaid, near Zila and that the Resident may give
orders that no one should interfere with the provision boats which might call
there with provisions for him. The Resident replied that it would not matter if
he did not exceed the limits of Wakrah which was the limit of the Katar juris
diction. Jasim interposed by saying that the limits of Katar extended south of
ZiP; the Resident rejoined that it could not be allowed. The Resident then told
him that he wished him to be a powerful chief in those parts; and that he held him
as the head man in the districts of Katar; and that in the event of any mischief
occurring the matter should be referred to him. That the Turks had entered the
place without the knowledge of the British Government, who do not recognise
the claim of the Turks to these places; and that he wished to deal solely with
Jasim as regards the affairs of El-Bidaa (Katr).
The Resident enquired about the movements of Ibn Rasheed, and Shaikh
Jasim said that he will come to these parts when the weather gets cooler*; he has
a large force mounted on horses and camels. His journey from Riadth to El-Hasa
will occupy about 15 days, instead of 10 days as he will have a large following; he
will take about 10 days to reach these parts from El-Hasa; that all the settled
inhabitants of towns and villages are well affected towards him. He has caused
three sons of Saood to be killed; there is now one son of Saood by name Abdul
Azeez left, who is with his uncle Abdullah at Hail. The Ajman have not as yet
' 1 Enclosure in Letter No. 310 from P.R.P.G. to the Government of India of October 15, 1888.