ملف ٢٢٩٧/ ١٩١٩ "تقارير شهرية للمقيمية البريطانية في الخليج الفارسي. ١٩١٢-١٩٢٠." [ظ‎‎٤‎٦‎١] (١٠٤٤/٩٢٧)

2
The Political Agent had an interview with His Highness on the subject and
offered the services of H. M. S. Sphinx, which was then in the harbour. The
Political Agent also offered to proceed himself in the “ Sphinx ” with any of
His Highness’s representatives and bring news of what was happening on the
Batina Coast, His Highness, however, thought it was unnecessary as affairs
would soon return to their normal state.
The following day a messenger from Salim bin Saiyid A1 Aamari, His High
ness’s Wali of Suwaiq, arrived in Maskat with the news that Saif bin Hamad had
come and taken away a quantity of rice and dates and had forced the Khojas of
Khabura to purchase 3 boxes of ammunition.
On the 4th His Highness despatched his yacht “ Nur-ul-Bahr ” with Saiyid
Hallal bin Hamad, His Highness’s Wali of Burka, and Saif bin Badar bin Saif
to Dil to enquire into the state of affairs on the Batina Coast. They, however,
returned and nothing serious has been heard since,
448. As the result of the murder mentioned in paragraph 4 it was reported
that the A1 Mokhannah and A1 Aramah, sections of the Janebah tribe of Sur, had
fought killing 3 men and wounding several others of the latter. In this connection
His Highness heard alarming reports of further trouble towards the end of the
month, and at once despatched his son Saiyid Taimur to enquire into the matter.
He soon returned and nothing further has been heard.
Arms Traffic, 449, The following ships brought and landed the arms and ammunition noted
against their names :—
SS. Ekbatana—Sl cases arms, 420 cases ammunition, 1 case accessories
and 1 case oil.
1 ! 450. The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf has been staying at
Maskat from 8th to the end of the month in connection with the suppression of the
Arms Traffic.
foreign Interests. 451 • An Egyptian Shaikh, Saiyid Muhammad Rashid, editor of the “ Majallat
al Monar,” visited Maskat during the month. His Highness sent his launch to
fetch him from the mail steamer. During his stay in Maskat he put up with the
Sultan’s clerk, Zubair {vide also paragraph 467 below).
■ 452. A Frenchman arrived during the month to relieve the French coal Su
perintendent at Maskat.
453. Reverend Father Bernard of the Carmelite Mission visited Maskat during
the month and returned to Bushire via Jask and Bandar Abbas.
Miscellaneous. 454. During his stay in Maskat the Resident paid informal visits to the
French and American Consuls.
455. On the 26th May, the birthday of Queen Mary was celebrated. His
Highness dressed his forts and yacht and fired a salute of 31 guns, at 8 a.m., in honour
of the occasion. H. M. S. Fox was also dressed and fired a salute of 31 guns at
noon. R. I. M. S. Investigator and SS. Avristan were in the harbour and were
also dressed, as well as the Agency flagstaff and the Foreign Consulates.
Bahrain.
1st to 31st May.
Local Officials. 456. Shaikh Isa accompanied by his sons made a four days’ trip to Rifa in the
paiddle of May,
457. With reference to paragraph 226, Shaikh Ali bin Ahmed returned from Abu
Dhabi on 29th April in SS. Baroda. The ship was flying the Bahrain flag in Shaikh
Ali’s honour. He wanted to have his flag flown at Lingah, but this was refused
by the Captain.
Local Goverumeut. 458. With reference to paragraph 109, about the middle of April, the Chief
pf Bahrain to the general satisfaction of the publip of Bahrain, reduced the meat
rate from Re. 1-8-0 to Re. 1 per Ruba (4 lbs.). The rate was, however, again
raised to the old figure on the grounds of the shortage of imports, but it has again
been reduced, probably owing to the loudly expressed discontent of the public^