'File 0223 Ras Al Khaimah Affairs' [‎90r] (179/284)

seen Shaikh Mohammed bin Salim.
3. I then held an interview with Shaikh Mohammed bin
Salim who was accompanied by his two sons Humaid and Chaid.
He related much the same history of events as regards the ban
on their entry on the day of Id as was told me by Shaikh ^ultan.
He then went on to say that he could not understand his brother^
attitude, that he had always been friendly with him, that they
were one family and closely intermarried. He strongly denied the
accusation that his sons had plotted to murder Shaikh Sultan and
said that the Whole case was a £aoex fabrication of lies on the
part of ^haikh Sultan. He mentioned that he himself had abdicated
in favour of Shaikh °ultan, and that he always preferred peaceful
relations within the family and had no ambition to be the Ruler.
He declared that neither he nor his nephews would consider leaving
Ras al Khaimah, where they had all their belongings and owned
many houses, and that if necessary they would fight. He stated
that his position was serious, that Shaikh Sultan was denying
them food ( the Shaikh refuted this to me),~and that they would
very soon have lio leave the gardens and go back to their houses.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Salim then told how the Shaikhs of Sharjah
and Ajman had been trying to bring about a settlement but had
failed owing to the obstinate attitude of Shaikh Sultan. He
asked me at this point if Government would intervene and bring
about justice as mediation by tribal Shaikhs had failed. I
replied that Government did not interfere with purely internal
affairs amongst tribes, but that I would give the whole case
consideration.
4. I then saw Shaikh Sultan bin Salim again on the 26th
and gave him my opinion as follows
(a) That the situation had been brought about largely by
his own neglect of affairs in the past and weakness of control
in not checking at the time the people responsible for the offences
which he had told me about.
(b) ‘^hat his action in suddenly manning the town, in
opening fire and banning entry into the town had been hasty and
ill-considered.
(c) That by expelling his brother and nephews from his
territory he would not achieve a real answer to the problem, as
they would remain his enemies and undoubtedly try to obtain their
revenge.
I then asked him, in view of the above, to reconsider
the whold matter and see if he could find another solution than
resort to force. Meanwhile he was to take no action until I
saw him again next week. This he promised to do, if his brother
would give a similar undertaking.
Before leaving, he again stated that he would not tolerate
the presence ofhis brother and nephews in Ras al Khaimah, and
that he could not be responsible for the safety of the oil-
prospectors who might be interfered with in the area where his
brothers and nephews were. I pointed out that he was responsbile
for all his Shaikhdom 0 He was veiy adamant in his belief that his
life was in danger from the plots and intrigues of his nephews*
in fact his general demeanour throughout the discussion was very
nervous. He did not ask once for Government help, so he presumably
thinks he is strong enough to expel his brother and nephews by
force.
He asked if he might build a tower over some wells out
side Maureedh village and near his brothers position. I advised
him not to and he agreed not to do this. He promised that he
would distribute food equitably, and that he would not withhold
food supplies from his brother. (The Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent had originally
diverted half the Ras al Khaimah food supplied to Rams, and this
has considerable effect on Shaikh Sultan and he was most anxious
about it. In view of there being free movement to and from Ras
£ al Khaimah