'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎71v] (148/230)

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No. 376.
No. 103, dated Busliire, the 28th September 1895.
From—C olonel F. A. W ilson , Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
Tn continuation of my telegram of the 25th instant, I have the honour to forward, for
the information of Government, a copy of a despatch, dated 2ilrd instant, from Lieutenant
Commander Taylor, Senior Naval Otficer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
2. The results of the decisive action taken hy Her Majesty's ships appear to have been
most satisfactory, and 1 trust that no further difficulties may arise in the final adjustment of
the troubles which have s<i long prevailed in connection with Bahrein, ihe A1 l>iu Ah have,
as a bodv, returned to liahrem, and re-"umed their residence there undor the Ohicl s assurance
of the maintenance of the conditions which thpy formerly enjoyed. Sheikh Sultan with a
few followers alone appears disposed to keep alool, Shaikh Lsa being rea ly to actjuiesce
completely in his alienation.
3. In pursuance of the desire, in your telegram of the Hth, that a statement should be
obtained from Jasim of his part in recent affairs, my Assistant, Mr. Gaskin, arranged an
interview with him on the 21st. Jasim again disclaimed all hostile intent on his own part,
and asserted that the Mutasarif of Hasa had encouraged the Albin Ali to settle at Zobara,
with a promise of protection, had assured him, after the first seizure of A1 bin Ali boats, that
the Turkish Government would procure their release, directing him to write to Sheikh Esa
requiring their restoration, failing which he was to attack Bahrein, and that when hopes
of their Recovering the boats failed, the Mutasarif ordered him to collect the Katr boats and
such men as he could muster for the attack, and sent some of the Bedouin tribes to support
him. Jasitn begged for pardon, and for the restoration of the boats taken after the operations
of the 6th instant, on the ground that they had been collected under the Mutasarif s orders ;
he expressed his earnest desire to come under British protection, undertaking to guard the
Katr peninsula provided only that he should be defended from attack by sea.
4. I am entirely unable to accept Jasim's disclaimers, and consider his responsibility is
fully established, whatever may have been the motives actuating himself and the Turks in their
mutual relations in these proceedings. It has been said that Jasim hoped for a loss of lurk-
ish prestige and authority as the result of the course adopted, which would enable him to
recover a practical independence ; it has also been rumoured, even at Bushire, that the lurks
secretlv desired that Jasim, whose effective subjection they have been unable to compass, and
who inHicted a most disastrous reverse on their troops in IS93, should be crushed by being
driven into a collision with British power.
5. In evidence of his assertions Jasim declared that he possessed ten letters from the
Wali of Busreh, and double that number from the Mutasarif of Hasa, but that he could only
produce these if assured of British protection, as otherwise he would be exposed to lurkisli
vengeance. I can hardly presume that Government would be disposed to entertain the request
for the assurances which Jasim professes to desire, but I would ask whether he is to be directly
dealt with, in any manner. I would also request that I may be informed by telegram wheth
er 1 am to expect any instructions upon the whole position, and especially in regard to the
boats now held at Bahrein, before submitting my final conclusions,
A Sheikh of the A1 bu Gowarah, inhabiting the western side of the Katr peninsula
appeared before me yesterday, with a plea for the restoration of 28 boats of that tribe among
those captured, on a similar ground to that of Jasim, siz., that he, while really a friend of
Sheikh Esa, had been compelled (by Jasim) to take a hostile attitude. He was informed that
no distinction was possible among those found in open hostility, and that his boats would be
subject to the final orders of Government with the rest.
No. 377.
Dated H. M. S. "Plassy," at Bahrein, the 23rd September 1895.
From - L ieutenant W. F. T aylob , Commander, Uer Majesty's Ship " P lasst,"
To—The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honour to report that I sent H. M. S. " Sphinx " to Zobara on the 1 8th to
see the terms given by Commander Pelly were being carried out, and also to try and find out
what the Turkish gunboat " Zuhaf " had gone there for.
I proceeded there in H. M'.s ship under my command on the 20th, arriving in the after
noon, when Lieutenant Commander Leggatt informed me that on his arrival only a few Arabs
were in the town and that ten dhows had left since his arrival, also that Jasim bin Mohamed