Political [‎38v] (76/154)

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Ghafer tribes will have to tender their allegiance, as they are not strong enough
to oppose them, while they are of the same creed as the western people (Jasim
Abdul Rahman and Ihn Sabhan).
Extract from a note written by the Officiating 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 at Shargah, to Mr. G. Lucas,
Assistant Resident, dated the 25th January lbb9.
I hear that Jasim and some of the western people, Ibn Rashid’s men,
arrived at Zafrah. They cut down date trees, and slaughtered the inhabitants
and carried away their camels. They say their messengers had arrived at
Baraimee. These Shaikhs are in a state of great alarm, and they do not know
what to do, whether they should meet the western people in a friendly manner
or offer them resistance and fight. The Chief of Aboothabee has not yet left
Aboothabee, while his Bedouins have fled and dispersed. So also all the
Bedouins from the interior have removed themselves from west to east and they
are looking out for places of refuge. While the litoral Shaikhs, if they find
no one to encourage them and instil martial spirit into their hearts, will not be
able to co-operate with one another in view to united action. I hear that His
Highness Seyyid Eeysal of Muscat has written to the chief of Ras-el-Khymah,
asking him to place men to guard the various mountain passes, which yield
entrance to Batna. In this way they cannot gain their object, unless they
act with firmness and full determination, and spend money.
Tiie Chiefs of Debay, Shargah, Ajman and llas-el-Khymah, tell me that the
British Government are willing that the western people should take possession
of these parts. I replied to them that if Jasim-Bin-Thani is alone concerned, I
did not suppose that the British Government will interfere. But if a third
party were to interfere, the British Government would not allow its interfer
ence on this coast. This appears to be the beginning of disturbances ; and God
knows the result.
No. 22, dated Bushire, the 4th Februarj' 18S9.
From—Colonel E. C. Ross, c.s.i., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, Calcutta.
In continuation of my letter No. 17, dated 31st ultimo, I have the honor
to send translation of a further report
No. 16, dated 2/th January 1889. r a
from 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 at Bahrain on
the subject of the massacre of Arabs by the force of Jasim-bin-Mohamed Thani.
Further inquiry will be made as to the alleged slaughter of women and child
ren on the occasion.
No. 16, dated the 27th January 1889.
From—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, Bahrain,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
After Compliments .—With reference to my previous report by the mail
steamer, about the slaughter of the dependants of Shaikh Zaeed at El-Jowa and
Zafrah, which news was communicated to Shaikh Esau, Chief of Bahrain, by
Jasim bin-Mohamed bin-Thani I beg to say that recently some boats have ar
rived, from El-Bida and brought some letters. It is said that a large num
ber of the Zafrah people were slaughtered but the number did not amount to
520 as mentioned by Jasim. It seems to be less. They said that those in
habitants were living in separate huts, scattered among the date plantations,
and that they gradually retreated before the army of Jasim, under a fire from
Martini-Henri rifles, and entered their fort with their women and children,
and closed the door, which they strengthened with rice bags.