"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الجزء II. ج. ج. لوريمر. ١٩١٥" [‎١‎٧‎٥‎٨] (١٢٦٢/٢٧٥)

1758
real confidence in the strength and resolution of the British Governiaent
could be instilled into the Shaikh, Russian influence would shortly be
found supreme and active at Muhammareh. His recommendations in
favour of a less reserved policy with Shaikh Khaz^al were supported bv
Lord Curzon, Viceroy and Governor-General of India; and eventually
under the authority of His Majesty's Government, the British Minister
on the 7th December 1903 addressed the following letter to the Shaikh.
I was very glad to hear from Haji Eais-ut-Tirjjar of the satisfactory arrangement
concluded between you and the Department of Customs. On general grounds of
policy it is very desirable that differences should as far as possible be avoided between
the Persian authorities and the Arab tribes under your rule. The relations between
the British and Persian Governments are of a friendly character, and the preservation
of the integrity and independence of the Persian monarchy has for many years been
one of the great objects of British policy in this part of the world. Disturbances of a
nature to imperil that object would be a serious evil, and you would gain little and
might endanger much by throwing off the sovereignty of the Shah. I am convinced
that under the present circumstances the Arabs and yourself, as their ruler, have every
interest in cultivating good and loyal relations with the Government of Tehran, and,
that the latter has no desire to oppress you or curtail your authority. For this reason
I think you acted wisely in giving up the idea of forcible resistance to the establish
ment of a Customs house and in seeking rather to come, as I have from the first urged
you to, to a friendly understanding on this subject with the Customs administration.
Haji Eais-ut-Tujjar has asked me on your behalf to what extent you might rely
on the protection of the British Government, and I told him that, so long as you be
haved to us in a friendly manner, our influence would be exerted here to maintain you
and your tribes in the enjoyment of your hereditary rights and customs, and to dis-
suade the Government of Tehran from any endeavour to diminish or interfere witt
them. Haji Eais-ut-Tujjar thereupon said that you were not >fraid of the Persian
Government itself or of attacks by neighbouring tribes acting or pretending to act
under its orders, but that you wished to know whether we should protect you in the
event of an attempt by a foreign Power to depose you or deprive your people of the
rights which they at present possess. This might happen in two ways ; either such
a Power might be at war with Persia and might as an enemy of the Shah send ships
to attack your district, or such a Power, pretending to be the friend of the Persian
Government or to act in its behalf, might attempt also by means of its ships to con
quer you and the Arabs. I replied that both contingencies were extremely unlikely,
but, i£ either were to arise, we should, I believed, interfere, provided you had acted in
accordance with our advice, and our fleet which is the strongest of any in the Persian
Gulf would be employed to prevent any forcible measures against you. I added, how
ever, that I would refer the question to the Foreign Minister of the British Govern-
ment, and he has now authorised me to say that we shall protect Mohammareh
against naval attack by a foreign power, whatever pretext for intervention maybe
alleged ; and also, so long as you remain faithful to the Shah and act in accordance
with our advice, we will continue to give you our good offices and support.
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