"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎١‎١‎١‎٧] (١٧٨٢/١٢٨٨)

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dangerous thai] those of a Muhammad 'AH, decided to await develop
ments and to maintain a policy of reserve and—so far as possible—of non
intervention ; and they accordingly disapproved of a suggestion made by
the Government of Bombay iu 1844, that a fixed principle of action
should be laid down and that an effort should even be made to bring the
Wahhabi Amir within the circle of chiefs who were bound to the British
Government by engagements relating to the maritime peace. In accord
ance with their views the Shaikhs of Baraimi, whom the attitude of
Government with reference to the Egyptians had encouraged to hope for
British support against the W ahhabis, were informed that the British
Government would not interfere on their behalf^ having withdrawn from
all connection with the internal affairs of Arabia; and, to a letter received
from the Wahhabi Amir, in which he expressed a desire "for the renewal
of the amicable relations which existed between his father Turki and the
British Governmenta favourable reply was sent, assuring him that
the British Government had no object in view except the preservation of
the peace at sea, regarding which he had in his own communication
declared himself to be solicitous. It was thought that, if a friendly
intercourse between the British authorities and the Amir could be estab
lished and maintained, the effect upon the Arab tribes along the coast
would be highly beneficial.
Soon, however, it became apparent that the Amir entertained ambi
tions which were not compatible with the integrity of the Bahrain
Shaikhdom or the 'Oman Sultanate ; and the Government of India, by
a fear that changes too rapid and too extensive might otherwise result,
were led to modify their policy of abstention.
In 1845, in connection with Wahhabi menaces against Masqat, the
Political Eesident, while he was cautioned to avoid threats which could
not be carried out except by despatching troops from India, was authorised
to express the views of Government and to make a naval demonstra
tion. He accordingly wrote both to the Wahhabi Amir and to the
Wahhabi agent in Baraimi, at the same time assembling a strong squadron
upon the Batinah coast; and the result, as we have seen above, was
satisfactory, inasmuch as a becoming reply was received from the
Wahhabis, Majis was evacuated by their troops, and the demand for tribute
was reduced to moderate dimensions.
In 1851, when the Bahrain islands were threatened with invasion by
the Amir who was himself present on the mainland adjoining, the
danger was averted by the despatch to the scene, apparently by the
Resident on his own responsibility, of the whole British naval force in the
British policy
of non
intervention
modified,
from 1845,
except in
Trucial
'Oman.
British sup
port of the
Saiyid of
Masqat,
1845.
British pro
tection of
Bahrain,
1851.
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