File 1855/1904 Pt 7 'Koweit Flag.' [‎236v] (136/154)

The Customs case is that the rifles were concealed and were new with the
full complement of cartridges : that as the importation of arms is prohibited in
Tu kev as well as Persia it is of no importance where they were bound. If
the vessel can prove that the rifles were not for sale, I am of opinion that twelve
rifles are not an excessive amount, as piracies often occur oft the mouth of the
ShaH el Arab and all vessels therefore should carry sufficient arms to protect
themselves ; a’nd the Bedouin coast is also unsafe. '
A second bum, Nakhoda Ghanim, is also understood to belong to Koweit.
She had twenty-eight rifles concealed on board, and this fact is not denied, she
had some bundles of hides consigned to Basrah to which port she was hound.
She was captured near the inner buoy and can only put forward that she was
bound for a Turkish port and was not within Persian jurisdiction. This yessel
has been taken to Bushire, as the owner cannot pay a fine. The fine demanded
would come to more than the yalue of the vessel, and the owner’s entire capital
was invested in these rifles and the vessel which is mortgaged already.
The “ Teyser ” proceeds to Sahiliyat where I can communicate with her;
she will be there for at least a fortnight. I enclose herewith the deposition of
the Nakhoda and, if necessary, he will swear an affidavit m these terms.
The owner states he can get evidence at Koweit that the rifles were pur
chased for the defence of the vessel only.
If the presence of the owner, Nakhoda, and others is necessary in
Bushire to support or prove their claim for a refund of the fine and return
of the arms, I would beg to be informed as soon as possible.
Deposition of Ali-bin-Muhammad Mubarak , Nakhoda of the bum “ Teyser” of Koweit.
I, Ali-hin-Muhammad, Nakhoda of the bum “ Teyser ”, state as follows:—
The vessel left Koweit for Sahiliyat to load. On the 10th September,
Saturday, was off the Turkish fort at Pao tacking up the river. At midnight
two boats from the S.S. “ Muzafferi ” came and asked what I had. I said
“ nothing ”. They then asked if I had any arms. I replied “ yes, we have
twelve rifles for the eighteen men of the crew for the protection of the vessel,
two are here and ten below”. They then searched the vessel and detained
her three days and then brought her to Mohammerah. These arms were
bought for the protection of the vessel, as she was hound for Yemen after
loading, that is for the villages beyond Bas-el-Had and two years ago having no
arms I was attacked and robbed there.
I solemnly declare and am prepared to take oath that the above statement
is true in every particular.
‘ Seal of Ali-bin-Muhammad.
Deposed and sealed by the said Ali-hin-Muhammad at Mohammerah this
twenty-third day of September 1904, before me.
W. McDouall,
His Britannic Majesty's Consul.
Iwtigs Offic# Pww—No. 1528—11-10-04—60.
tl