File 2869/1906 Pt 2 'Arms traffic: Mekran Coast and Baluchistan. Correspondence (1908-9)' [‎257r] (522/554)

On the 14th I went with His Majesty’s Consul to visit Sheikh Khazal. He had
had noitcent news of the pirates, who appear to have laid low at Dayir since the
attack on the Koweit dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. in February, and he assumed that they were still at
Dayir.
I had intended to ^o down to hao for a few days, but Mr. McDouall informed me
jhat the majority of the dhows had cleared for the south on the 11th apd 12th, and that
\JM ;i aw no immediate necessity for a ship near the bar. I therefore returned to Bussorah
on the 15th, and found that Mr. Crow, His Majesty’s Consul, had returned.
It was arranged that Sheikh Hhazal should return my call when I next visited
Mohammerah, as he was suffering from a cold and his launch was under repairs.
6. Mr. Cron informed me that a strong protest had been made to the Porte by
His Majesty s Ambassador at Constantinople, with reference to the uncivil treatment
of the Commanding Officer of “Lapwing” at Katif. The Wall of Bussorah had
been instructed to inquire into the matter, with a view to the punishment of the offending
officials.
Mr.^ Crow informed me that a shortage of dates of some kinds had resulted in
high prices, and that consequently the number of dhows returning to the river for
the second date season about the middle of December might be expected to be less
than usual.
* W * * *
8. On the 20th November I was informed that the Sheikh of Zubeir, a town about
10' west of Bussorah, had been murdered with two of his people that afternoon in the
bazaar at Bussorah. r I he Turkish troops were called out to quell the disturbance which
followed.
9. On the 21st November, at 4-50 p.m., I received your telegram directing me
to proceed to Koweit to obtain men who can identify the Humaidi pirates and after
wards proceed to Bushire to place myself under the orders of the “ Highflyer. , ’
My proceedings subsequent to the receipt of your telegram have been reported to
Captain Hickley, of His Majesty’s ship “ Highflyer,” who has relieved me as Senior
Officer in the Gulf upon joining him at Henjam this day. A copy of that letter is
attached.
10. The telegraphic communication with Bussorah by land lines proved to be more
efficient than I was led to believe, but it appears to be subject to temporary
interruptions, due to weather or Arabs cutting the wire.
Your telegram No. 55, consisting of fifty-seven groups, came through in about
thirty hours, with only two slight errors.
The line was interrupted very soon afterwards on account of heavy rain in the
north, ami I am doubtful whether you received my acknowledgment before the report of
my arrival at Bushire.
11. As regards the movements of the other ships of the division, “ Lapwing” left
Bunder Abbas at 5 p.m., 24th October, and arrived at Muscat early on the 26th October,
where she embarked Major Grey, and left for Sur the same evening.
Major Grey was unable to trace the Somali arms he went to Sur to find, and
“ Lapwing’' returned to Muscat on the 28th October.
Between the 28th October and the 5th November some urgent defects in engine-
room were made good, and on the 6th November I ordered her to Kurrachee to clean
boilers and generally overhaul her machinery.
She arrived on the 9th, and returned to Muscat on the 27th, with orders to leave
for the north on the 28th, in readiness to relieve me in the river.
Owing, however, to the Resident’s request for a second ship on the arms traffic as
soon as possible, she has been temporarily diverted to assist “ Redbreast ” on this
service
12. I left “Redbreast” at Bushire on the 5th November, with orders to embark
Mr. Bill, First Assistant to the Besident, and convey him to Abu Musa and Ras-al-
Khaima, afterwards proceeding to Muscat.
The object of the Abu Musa visit was to see if all was quiet there, and to reassure
the Sheikh’s people.
It, however, transpired that the Sheikh’s guard had vacated the island, and the
“Redbreast” proceeded to Shargah, where Mr. Bill obtained a promise from the Sheikh
to send over a fresh guard at once.
Mr. Brown, the German Agent, has been in Bushire interviewing the German
Consul about the Abu Musa Concession, and has also, I understand, been endeavoming
to frighten the Sheikh of Shargah. .
At Ras-al-Khaima it was found that the slave-dealer referred to in paragraph 5 ot