"تقارير إدارية ١٩٠٥-١٩١٠" [ظ‎‎٤‎٥] (٦١٦/٩٥)

72
ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL
of Africans is still on tlie decrease. It is highly probable that the represen
tations so frequently made by His Majesty's Government to that of the French
are at last bearing fruit, and that the latter are now investigating with ^
care than formerly the circumstances in which the tricolour is flown by Arabg 6
During 1905-1906, 93 slaves applied at this Agency for freedom.
Of these manumission papers were granted to 84 according to th
provisions of the treaty of 1873, two left the^ premises while their cases wer 6
still under discussion, and seven were dismissed as not being entitled t 8
freedom. Of the 84 above mentioned 39 were Africans, and of these 11 We 0
sent to Zanzibar for repatriation and four were allowed to proceed to Bombav 6
The remainder were Persians or Baluchis, the majority of whom elected to
remain in Oman. In addition to the above the Political Agent rescued three
Baluch children from slavery in Suhar on the occasion of a visit to that port
in April. These were sent back to their relatives Wa Jask.
VII. Referring to the massacre of part of the crew of the S.S. Baron Inner.
Marine. dale, some account of which was given in
, T1 , , last year's report, the chief inhahilants
of Masirah Island who had been imprisoned by His Highness the Sultan
of having assisted in hushing up the matter at first, were finally released with
the concurrence of the Government of India in January. Of the ten ormnaliv
imprisoned three had died and four had previouslv been released owin^ to their
having become reduced in health. It is found that Bedouin Arabs speedily
become unfit for further imprisonment from the mere fact of bein? in
Confinement alone. The capture of the remaining actual culprits in & this
matter has not been found possible, owing to their having escaped into a part
of the interior of Oman in which the Sultan's rule is practically unrecognised.
VIII. The rainfall in Oman during the year under review has been
uormal and calls for no comment. There
heen no serious storms in Maskat
or its neighbourhood.
IX. Short visits to the Batinah coast and Sur were paid occasionally by
Movements of the Political Agent. P^tical Agent throughout the year,
. -1,1 ' but notllin g in the shape of an inland
tour was possible owing to important work requiring his presence in Maskat,
first m connection with the preparation of documents for the arbitration
referred to earlier m this report and subsequently on account of the
negotiations with the French Consul on the same subject.
X. Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., PoUtical Resident in the Persian Gulf,
Resident's visits. visited Maskat in March and again in
, , . ,1 it ", tt * t , .1905. The usual visits were
exchanged with His Highness the Sultan.
XI. Maskat was twice visited by the Commander-in-Chief of the East
Navy. India Station during the past vear, on
■o . * . i * ii • -rrr•11 . r G r £ r8t occas ion by His Eicellencv
Rear-Admiral Atkinson Willes m H.M.S. Eyncinth in Anril 1905 and
again by His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Edmund Poe K 0 V O in
H.M S. Serines in March 1906. On each occasion the visit lasted for
tour days, during which the usual official visits were paid and returned.
• n/i 111 1 addit j on Eoyue, Captain E. G. Shortland, visited Maskat
m March and remained m harbour for five days. This fine vessel created
a great impression, and much interest was taken in her appearance. Other
vessels ot His Majesty s Navy which have been at Maskat during the year
under review are the Fox, Lapwing, JProserpine, Redbreast and Sphinx;
whiie the JLndian Manne have been represented by the Lawrence
and the InvesUgator. The Persian Gulf Telegraph Steamer Fatnch
Stewart also paid her yearly visit.
The R. F. Infernet visited Maskat in May 1905 and the R. F. d'
Foreign Navies. Bntrecasteaux in December of the
~ , f j.1 -n i same year. M. le Commandant Lormier,
Commodore of the French Eastern Jvaval Division, was in command on each
occasion. INo other Foreign Navy has been represented.