"تقارير إدارية ١٩٠٥-١٩١٠" [ظ‎‎١‎٥‎٠] (٦١٦/٣٠٥)

jqg administration report of the persian gulf political residency
from the Sultan of Maskat who alleged that lie was a Mnsalman convert and
had come to settle accounts with Ali-bin Ahmed uth Tbahaha and Sheikh
Moosa -bin-A.bdur Kazak, who were Agents for the firm of Gognyer.
One morning early in October, however, Sheikh Mubarak sent his
Secretary with Monsieur Elbaz to the Political Agent with the request that
he would be good enough to witness Elbaz s signature to a certain document
but the nature of the document was not made clear. The Political Agent
declined the honour and visited the Sheikh when the latter told the Political
Agent that he owed some money to the firm of Gcguyer and that he was
finally settling and severing his connection with the firm and wished that he
would kindly see that Monsieur Elbaz signed a document to that effect.
Both the Frenchmen lived, while in Koweit, with one Dahash-bin-Othman
tin Dahash.
In June Sheikh Mubarak despatched a consignment of 4,000 rifles and
ammunition to Sheikh Khazal of xVlohammerah to help him in his troubles
with his tribesmen. In September some packages of arms were shipped for
Koweit from Maskat by one of the fast mail steamers of British India. The
steamer unfortunately could not call at Koweit and the packages remained on
board. On arrival at Mohammerah, however, the Belgian Customs officials
boarded the vessel and demanded the packages from the Captain of the vessel.
This was refused and the packages were taken back and handed over to the
Sultan of Maskat. The Sheikh of Koweit preferred a complaint to the
Political Agent complaining of unjustifiable interference by the Belgian officials
of the Persian Customs Department at Mohammerah with goods destined for
Koweit and asked the Political Agent to arrange for the re-shipment of the
packages from Maskat. The matter was referred to the Political Agent at
Maskat through the Political "Resident, Persian Gulf, with the result that such
an arrangement was found impracticable.
On three occasions cases of rifles were dropped over board in the Koweit
harbour while discharging in lighters, and enquiries were made by the owners
from the Mail Agent as to the exact spot of anchorage with a view to sendinsr
down divers^ In October again the Sheikh despatched to Bin Sa'ud, who had
applied for such help, 16,000 cartridges (8 camel loads).
In a single week in October 6.000 rifles were imported an.d the Sheikh's
dues on them amounted to £5,000 or Rs. 75,000. In November there was a
great activity in the arms traffic when the rate of dollars was driven up sud
denly to Rs. 169 for $1C0. Ihe buyers were said to be from Mesopotamia who
had with them Turkish Liras which had to be changed into dollars. It is
interesting to note that one early morning an unsuspecting Arab from up
country, who had probably come to buy arms, greeted the Political Agent in
the bazar, misled probably by his solar hat, and asked him if he had any arms
for sale.
A report, in the same month, was brought to the effect that three loads of
arms and ammunition, the property of Dahash-bin-Othman-bin-Dahash, were
captured by Turkish soldiers at Zubair.
In March, three revolvers and one rifle, all Mausers, were detected in the
bedding of one Haji Hamud, who was a passenger for Koweit from Maskat, by
the Chief Officer of the British India mail steamer These were confis
cated by the officer and handed over to the Political Agent at Maskat.
Preference is given to Mauser rifles and revolvers as these are considered
to be the best. After these come the firearms manufactured by Dixon and
Company and arms bearing the Persian ensign locally called the Pharsi "
rifles.
A Mauser rifle is sold at $70 but prices generally keep fluctuating as the
dollar rates fall and rise. Rifles made by Dixon and Company can be had for
$35 and less. The ^ 'Pharsi >, rifle is better than that made by Dixon and Com
pany and is sold for $40 to 45. It is considered to be the second best.
Public Health.
The public health has been good throughout the year. The dispensary
was kept open for the benefit of the public and 5,914 persons were treated.