'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1915-1919' [‎72v] (151/396)

66 PERSIAN GTJLF ADMINISTRATION REPORT
bin Nasir rules in complete authority and apparently with considerable
attempt at justice. ■,
The piquet line at Bait ul-Falaj to the west of Muttrab and at Sidab
^ ^ south of Maskat continued to be held by
British Troops in Oman. troops of the Indian A^my.
At the be^inninsj of the year the place was garrisoned by the 95th
Eussell's Infantry, and one Wing of the 108th Infantry.
On the 18th January 1916, the ^th ftussell's Infantry relieved the 95tli
Russell's Infantry, the latter leaving for Nowshera on the 27Lh January 1916.
The second Wing of the ICSrh Infantry arrived from Bombay on the
13th February. The regiment, however, supplied one detachment for Persia.
On the 18th November the Q^th Russell's Infantry left for Tank leaving
the 108th Infantry less one company in Persia to protect Muttrah and
Maskat.
The enemy made no definite movement against the troops but some shots
were exchanged at Sidab with a party who attempted to stalk No. 1 Piquet on
the night of the 29th March. There were no casualties on either side.
His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Squadron, visited
Maskat in his Flag Ship H.M.S.
Naval. " Euryalus " on the 4ith April, the usual
salute being given and returned.
Most of the ships of the East India Squadron visted the port during the
year.
Afire broke out at the Naval Coal Dep6t on the 22 nd July. It was
extinguished with the fire engine under the escort with the assistance of a
boat's party from H.M.S. " Philomel "
Amons the upper classes a certain pro-Turk sympathy exists and the
movement of the Sharif of Mecca has
Effect of the war. found little support in Maskat.
His action has been condemned since it is argued that the Turks were the
only Moslem power strong enough to be the political and religious centre for
Muhammadanism and it is considered that the Sharif will never be powerful
enough to stand alone but will need to depend upon the support of Christian
powers. There is thus a Pan-Islamic feeling which results in an anti-European
under-current.
On the other hand one Ibrahim Adhan was deported from Maskat by the
Sultan for speaking against the Sharif of Mecca.
The victory at Baghdad impressed the public with the power of the British
and indeed they already look upon the annexation of Oman in the fullness of
time as a matter of course.
Reliable reports were received of a steady stream of arms in small packets
which were carried to the Mekran coast
Arms Traffic. i n dhows which trade between Oman and
Mekran,
News of the smuggling of arms in quantities exceeding ICO were rarely
obtained, the only definite cases being two amounts of 300 each in December
and one of 100 rifles in j uly.
One of the former cases of 800 rifles was confirmed from Jask.
Rifles now exported are mainly of Martini or older makes but it is to he
suspected that magagine rifles are exported from Barka and the ports of the
Batinah coast. His Majesty's ships being otherwise engaged have been
unable to take up this question.
Ammunition is more scarce than are rifles and it is stated that to purchase
any number of rounds it is necessary to consent to buy a rifle as well.
The import of arms has ceased only one case being reported. This case
is referred to above as consisting of the 300 rifles which wire re -exported to
J ask and their arrival confirmed from that place. The rifles were brought to
bur from Djibouti and thence taken via Barka to the Mekran coast.