'ملف رقم 19/12 البحرين، ملخص شؤون الزبارة لعام ١٨٩٥' [و‎‎٨‎٠] (٢٣٠/١٦٧)

The detention of the whole crews of any boats that may be seized would
seem quite unnecessary ; one or two men should however be encouraged to re
main in each boat, in order to secure the safety of any property left in them.
Should any communication with Shaikh Jasim become necessary, he may
be informed, in reply to any reference that he may make to his letter to
Resident, that it vvas regarded as highly unsatisfactory and as not requiring
reply, he being fully aware of the fixed determination of Government in regard
to Zobarah.
Dated H.M.S. Sphinx at Bahrein, the 9th July 1895.
From— Captain J. H. Pelly , Commander and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf
Division,
To— Colonel F. A. Wilson , Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
In accordance with your memorandum dated 5th July 1895, I have the
honour to report that, having embarked Mr. Gaskin (Assistant Resident), I left
Rushire on the 5th instant and proceeded to Raiirein, arriving there on the
following day.
On my arrival Mr. Gaskin proceeded ashore to interview Shaikh Esa-bin-
Ali, and returned in the evening accompanied by the Shaikh's brother, the
Shaikh's Vizier and two Residency Agents, with whom I then proceeded to
Zobarah, arriving at that place about noon on the 7th instant.
I immediately sent my Interpreter ashore with a letter, requesting Shaikh
Sultan to come on board to receive your letter addressed to him. To this he
returned no answer, hut sent a reply to the Residency Agent, who had sent him
a private note, to the effect that he was ill and could not do what was required
of him. A copy of this correspondence is attached for your information. My
Jnterpreter states that en landing he was not allowed by Turkish soldiers to
see Shaikh Sultan, but was taken to the Turkish Mudir, were he met Shaikh
Sultan's son, to whom he handed my letter to be taken to his father, who was
said to be suffering from dysentery and unable in consequence to see anyone.
Taking into consideration that Shaikh Sultan had through the intrigue of
the Turkish Mudir (who appears to have followed the son and may have inter
cepted my letter) treated my letter in an insulting manner, I considered it
necessary to take further steps in this matter; and to ensure his receiving your
letter, together with my ultimatum as to the action to be taken in default of
any reply, I requested Mr. Gaskin to land and personally deliver them to Shaikh
Sultan-bin-Mahomed Salamah.
Mr. Gaskin thereupon landed, accompanied by the Residency Agent and
the Shaikh's Vizier (Mr. Gaskin's report I enclose).
Before daylight on the morning of the 8th the steam and pulling cutters,
manned and armed, with Lieutenant Kirke in charge (Mr. Purdy, Gunner, being
in charge of the st am cutter) proceeded to seize the boats of the Albin Ali,
which resulted in seven of them being taken. One of these is a Bahrein boat
which appears to have been detained at Zobarah by Shaikh Sultan against the
wishes of the men. Ko opposition was made by any of the boats upon being
seized, the creu's of some of them sailing their boats off to the ship. Just
before leaving Zobarah a Turkish official visited the ship, bringing with him
the letter which I enclose, and to which I made no reply. I left Zobarah at 11
a. m ., on the 8th instant with the captured boats in tow and arrived at Bahrein
in the evening.
These boats are being turned over to the Chief of Bahrein for safe custody.
With reference to the letter received from the Turkish Mudir, I shall re
main here pending a further communication from you. I have found Mr.
Gaskin a great assistance during these proceedings.
Dated H. M. S. Sphinx at Zobarah, the 7th July 1895.
From— Captain J. H. Pelly , Commander and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf
Division,
To—Shaikh Sultan-bin-Mahomed-bin-Salamah.
This is to inform you that I am the bearer of a letter from the Political
Resident in the Persian G ulf to your address, and to request that you will