"حادث دبي" [و‎‎٤‎٩] (٢٤/١٨)

Commander-in-chief, East Indies, to Admiralty.
(No. 228.) y
(Telegraphic.) P. Bushire, December 25, 1910.
REGRET to report party from His Majesty's ship " Hyacinth " landed at Dibai
yesterday morning to search for arms, was fired on by natives, and engagement
became general, four of our men being killed and nine wounded. One man also is
missing. Enemy's loss, thirty-seven killed.
Party was landed owing to information received that arms intended for
exportation were in Dibai in contravention of treaty rights. After fighting be^an
sheikh exerted himself to pacify people.
Am now at Bushire, but propose leaving for Dibai to-morrow in His Majesty's
ship " Odin," retaining the "Hyacinth" there for the present. My telegraphic
address will be Jask.
List of killed and wounded forwarded in separate report.
From Commander-in-Chief, East Indies, to Admiralty, London
30th December 1910.
No. 233.
P . olitical Resident and I have carefully gone into cause of fighting (at)
Dibai, and we are of opinion it was the culmination of a growing feeling of
hostility to the measures enforced for the suppression of arms traffic on this
coast. The immediate cause was resentment at the attempted search (of)
two houses. On previous recent occasion, on which Sheikh had been asked
to have a house searched he did in such a perfunctory way as to make the
operation a farce. On the present occasion though called upon by the Com
mander (of) landing party (to) meet him and search certain houses with
support of our men, he failed (to) comply and did not appear until trouble
had begun.
The impression conveyed by several reports of British officers is that he
allowed trouble to commence, either by apathy or intention, but that when
he saw that it had gone too far he exerted himself to stop it and show that
he was able to control it when he chose.
The Sheikh came on board "Hyacinth " at Dibai on 28th December under
a safe return to interview Political Resident and myself. He altogether
repudiated complicity in the firing on our men and alleged that the latter
had started the firing. His statements generally were altogether contrary
to facts reported by our officers and could not be accepted.
He, having further refused, in spite of explanations, to allow a tide pole
to be replaced which had been erected by the officer commanding boat, and
which Sheikh had caused to be removed, or agree (to) receive a British
officer as Resident's Agent, Dibai, we have -accordingly made the following
demand on him in writing, and have allowed him 48^ hours for compliance,
viz. ;—
1st.—Immediate replacement of the tide pole and retention as long as
needed by the officer commanding His Majesty's ship stationed here.
2nd. Accept telegraph installation whenever considered necessary by the
Government in accordance with provisions of additional article of the
Treaty, 4th May, ^55,
3rd.—Delivery of 400 serviceable rifles, to be collected from inhabitants.
4th.—Payment of Rs. 50,000 as a fine, to be considered at the disposal
of Government, and the retention or restoration of whole or any portion
to be affected by his acceptance following two further conditions which,
however, are not part of present ultimatum, pending the concurrence
of the Government.
5th.—Acceptance British officer as an agent, with a small personal guard,
and co-operation in finding himself suitable quarters, and according of
protection and friendly treatment.
6th.—Acquiescence exchange (of) existing primitive and unsatisfactory
postal arrangements for a sub post-office of the India Postal Depart
ment, as at other ports where steamers call in the Persian Gulf.
Resident and I are convinced that both political, commercial, and arms
traffic requirements on the trucial coast demand appointment of a British
officer at Dibai. A proper post office is also needed by our traders, and a
wireless telegraph installation is indispensable if a British officer is located
there. We lecommend that Ave be authorised to take present opportunity
to insist Sheikh undertake (to) accept these measures. It will be under
stood that installation (of) British officer will mean that a sufficient guard
must be provided for his safety and wireless telegraphy installed. I have
small installation available at once and would propose erect it pending-
replacement by a more effective one. Copy of this telegram has been sent to
Government of India by the Political Resident.