ملف ٢٢٩٧/ ١٩١٩ "تقارير شهرية للمقيمية البريطانية في الخليج الفارسي. ١٩١٢-١٩٢٠." [ظ‎‎٢‎٦‎٠] (١٠٤٤/٥٢٥)

2
224. On the 13th Saivid Nadir wrote to His Highness from Barka saying that,
although the enemy had threatened to attack Nakhl, they made no definite move
ment towards that place. He also added that he had despatched some men to
Nakhl with ammunition and that, if necessity arose, he w'ould himself follow
them later. He, however, asked His Highness to send reinforcements to Barka.
225. Conflicting reports were received of the presence of the Imam and Shaikh
Hamyar, with about 1,200 men, in W adi Maawal. His Highness, however, was
confident and told the Political Agent that he did not anticipate any immediate
danger at Nakhl as the men with the Imam were dissatisfied and were quarrel
ling among themselves.
226. As a result of the alarming reports of the Imam’s approach some British
subjects fled from Barka with all their effects. On hearing of this Saiyid
Nadir assembled the remaining British subjects and assured them that there was
no fear of the enemy coming upon Barka and persuaded them to remain where
they are.
227. On the 15th His Highness himself proceeded to Barka and has remain
ed there till the close of the month visiting Maskat only occasionally for purposes
of taking supplies of ammunition, money, and other stores.
228. With reference to paragraph 224 supra, news reached Maskat on the 16th
to the effect that the ammunition and other stores despatched for Nakhl by
Saiyid Nadir had been seized and looted by the enemy on the way. Saiyid Nadir,
in revenge, seized some of the Shaikhs of the offending party and imprisoned
them at Barka.
229. {a) With reference to paragraph 226 above, more British subjects
arrived in Maskat from Barka on the 20th with their families and belongings.
The Political Agent interviewed them at Matrah. They reported that they had
been advised by Saiyid Nadir either to move into the fort or leave Barka. They
also reported that the Bani Battash had invaded Karyat and set several houses
on fire.
(6) On the 21st news was received in Maskat to the effect that the Imam’s
forces had taken Nakhl and had surrounded the fort. The Jamedar of the fort,
Shaikh Ahmed Thaniyan, was ordered to surrender the fort, but he refused to obey
the Imam’s orders.
230. About the 27th, some disquieting news was received of the Imam’s inten
tion to advance on Baxka and on the 23rd the Political Agent proceeded to Barka
on board the H. M. S. “ Dartmouth ” to enquire into the facts, returning to Maskat
the same night. His Highness the Sultan was in Maskat as, owing to the “ Nur-ul-
Bahr ” being away at Sohar, he was unable to go to Barka. The Political Agent
interviewed Saiyid Nadir in the fort at Barka who confirmed the reports of the
Imam’s intention to attack Barka. The Political Agent reassured the British sub
jects who were still in Barka, much alarmed at the news of the Imam’s approach.
On the 26th the H. M. S. “ Alert ” relieved the “ Dartmouth ” at Barka.
231. On the 25th the 44 Nur-ul-Bahr ” returned from Barka. It was reported
that she had brought and landed at Barka some 300 men from Khabura. On the
26th she proceeded to Sui and returned to Maskat with about 200 men of the Bani-
hu-Hassan, and, after taking His Highness on board, proceeded to Barka. She
also carried a gun and about 30 imported Baluchis— mde entry No. 15 under
<c Foreign Interests ” below.
232. On the 25th, 16 ponies and 12 camels arrived from Gwadur by the slow
mail Lindula for His Highness the Sultan. They are said to have been sent by
Sardar Mehxab Khan Gitchki of Mekran and are intended as gun teams. They were
being practised in their work in Maskat f*£the parade ground.
Foieign Interests. 233. Shaikhs Buti bin Rashid and Sagar bin Zaid returned to their homes
on the 4th. His Highness the Sultan gave them cash presents of Rs. 5,000 each.
234. On the 25th twenty-five trained Baluchi soldiers were brought from Basrah
by the SS. Kola, by Ha,ji Kasim for His Highness the Sultan who was specially
deputed by His Highness for th^ purpose. Two of these were Turkish uniforms and