'File 0223 Ras Al Khaimah Affairs' [‎89r] (177/284)

CONFIDENTIAL
British Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , Sharjah.
Dated the 30th September, 1946
To
The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ,
Bahrain.
Note on Has al Khalmah affairs.
As reported in my telegram No. 1004 of 27th September,
1946, I held discussions with Shaikh Sultan bin Salim and Shaikh
Mohammed bin Salim separately, at Sharjah on the 25th and 26th
September. There were two meetings with both Shaikhs, Shaikh
Sultan seeing me first on each occasion. I also saw Shaikh Sultan
bin Saqr of Sharjah, Afesrai Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid of Ajman,
and Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed of Kalba at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . These three
Shaikhs have been mediating in the dispute.
2. Shaikh Sultan bin Salim of Ras al Khaimah told me his
side of the story, why he had taken action against his brother
and Nephews etc., and what his proposed future action was.
He related a number of accusations against his nephews vizs-
(1) That they had fired at a British subject, Major Holmes,
about 10 years ago.
(2) That they had beaten local merchants.
(3) That they had plotted to murder him at the end of
Ramadhan.
Apart from No. (3) the accusations Shaikh Sultan made
were most unconvincing, and when I asked him why he had not taken
action himself for the alleged offences, or informed Political
Officer, Srucial Coast, he said that he had done nothing as he
wanted peace and did not like to make a fuss.
As regards the alleged plot to murder him Shaikh Sultan
stated that on the day before the Id celebrations he was informed
by the Amir of Shamal that the sons of Shaikh Mohammed bin Salim
had approached the Amir asking him to help in recruiting men for
a coup d ! etat to overthrow Shaikh Sultan. On hearing this Shaikh
Sultan manned the town of Ras al Khaimah and Muareedh village
and stopped all persons entering from the gardens. This was on
the first day of Id. ( I would mention here that the majority of
the Ras al Khaimah population were out in the gardens as is their
custom at this time of the year ).
Shaikh Sultan then stated that he lifted the ban on
entry the next day, but had not and would not allow any member
of his brother*s family to enter Muareedh or Ras al Khaimah, as
he was firmly convinced that his nephews were trying to murder
him. He mentioned that he had nothing against his brother
Shaikh Mohammed bin Salim, but that it was his nephews whom he
really suspected.
I asked him if he had any further proof of the plot
against him, but he had none, and the information the Amir of
Shamal gave him appears to be the only reason for provoking him
to action. He stated very definitely that he would not consider
his brother or nephews ever liming in Ras al Khamiah again, as
he would never be safe; he then quoted as a parallel how the
Regent of Kalba had been expelled from Sharjah and he said that
similar action should be taken against his brother and nephews,
and that he was prepared to do this forcibly if necessary. On
this note he left, as I did not wish to say anything until I had
/ seen
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