‘File XXIX/2 THE IMAM’S RISING 1913-1920. RISING of IMAM of NIZWA in MAY 1913 & 1914’ [‎58r] (122/484)

Rogd. No*.S3
Dlted 15/4/14
3%,
. Telegram ( Paraphrase )
. . J ub '
83. Please see my. telegrams of April 13th.& 14thi t Nos*81 & 82.
Yesterday I arrived at Quaryat and met Sultan who had arrived
there some hours earlier* H .H. i inf ormed me. that.dimmed lately on
his arrival,.the Bani Battash had fired on him from.three places,
viz: from a foxtt in. the. town,from an. island, in the harbour and
. . had
from the sea shore, anti.that.they/only stopped.the firing on.the
approach of the man of war* Certain local residents had join
ed, the Bani Battash* These, while professing loyalty, to H.H.
had refused. their support to the Wall & had sheltered. the Bani
Battash and encouraged. them in. the destruction of*, the Baluchi
habitations by fire* With.the exception of the fort in which
ithe Kali A some 400 Baluchis had. taken refuge,the whole town had
been occupied by enemy who had set up white standards*
Shortly after my arrival His Highness sent a message ashore de-!
manding.the surrender of .the fort and.the despatch, to him ofithe
rebel headmen within an hour* andi intimating. to. them that* in case
of non compliance .their positions would be demolished. H*H*
waited for hours,and.there being no signs of compliance H.H.
came on board. the"Dartmouth" and at his request , the man of war
demolished.the rebel fort and other positions pointed out by H.H.
The above mentioned.island was also shelled* The rebels and.the
disloyal*, inhabitants mentioned above fled and. thus releasing. the
Sul tan’sitroops & subjects who had been besiegediin.their fort for
6 day?* The besieged garxison.then set fird.to all.the huts and
property of.the dlsloyalvinhabitants who had gone over.to the enav
enemy. After dark H.H. sent a party of men astiore to clear
the* island under search light; but it was foundito be unoccupied*
The Sultan then signal1ed.that he #as.in hhes no furethe* need.of
assistance and.that he was himself leaving for ^ur at once
would return as soon as possible.to Muscat* H.H.seemed an..v,.
aboutithe state of affairs at Sur also. No details had been re
ceived bf.the result of the afternoon's bombardment up. to. ,the. tine
of His Highness' departure*
Before. thi h IS£,»* bombardments at Barka & Quaryati there A ^ © p3-~
sistent reports of. intention of rebels under Shaik Hamyar *r«>b*
i to attack Matra, and of.the Bani Battash.to attack Masqat*
These reports are still persistent ; and though.the recent oper
ations will no doubt have a deterrent effect,-this na c e on^y
‘.temporary* Itiis incumbent on us , I. think ,i to. take precaution
ary measures, more especially-in view of.the increasing oisaifect
lion of His Highness’ subjects which is generally reported and of
<. the fact thati the rebels are. in a much better positi^pn. to attach