'Memorandum respecting British interests in the Persian Gulf' [‎73r] (111/126)

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Empire to give their good offices to any native of Bahrein who might have occasion to
apply to them in respect of their dealings with Turkish authorities.
The British Ambassador, speaking subsequently to the Grand Vizier on the same
subject, stated that, by virtue of the Convention of 1861, the Sheikh of Bahrein must
be regarded as entirely independent of Turkish sovereignty.
In a further despatch. Sir Clare Ford reported that he had informed the Grand
Vizier that the claim of the Porte to treat Bahreinese as Turkish subjects when in
Ottoman territory was inadmissible by Her Majesty’s Government, who would extend
their protection to natives of Bahrein whenever occasion called for it.
13. It being the reported intention of the Al-bin-Ali tribe to form a settlement at
Zobara, wit h the support of the Turkish Mutessarif of Hasa, the British Ambassador at
Constantinople was instructed, in May 1895, to inform the Porte that the formation of
such a settlement would constitute a menace to Bahrein. He was also instructed to
state that, if the project were proceeded with, the Government of India would be
compelled to take measures for the protection of the Chief of that island.
Later in the year, in the course of a further remonstrance addressed to the Porte
respecting the action of Turkish officials on the El Katr coast, the statement was
reiterated that all Turkish claims to Bahrein, which was under the protection of Her
Majesty the Queen of England, were totally inadmissible.
A Memorandum on this subject was communicated to the Turkish Ambassador on
the 23rd August, 1895. It was stated therein that Her Majesty’s Government did not
admit that this part of the coast was under Turkish jurisdiction, but that Bahrein was
under British protection, and Her Majesty’s Government could not allow any
interference with or attack upon it.
In a further Memorandum, communicated to the Turkish Ambassador in the
following year, it was re-stated that Bahrein was under British protection, and that the
Turkish claim to jurisdiction over that portion of the coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. in
which Zobara was situated could not be admitted.
14. In February 1896 a note verbale was addressed to the Porte by the British
Ambassador, requesting the issue of instructions to the Vali of Bussorah to admit the
right of the British Consul to intervene on behalf of Bahrein subjects. The note
reminded the Porte that the Chief of Bahrein was under the protection of the Queen of
England, and it was, therefore, quite inadmissible that the natives of Bahrein should,
when on Ottoman territory,, be treated as Turkish subjects.
15. Attention was called by the Porte in 1905 to the measures taken against
Bahreinese for the ill-treatment of a German subject. Lord Lansdowne informed the
Turkish Ambassador, in reply to his representations on the subject, that it was a matter
ot common knowledge, and well known to the Turkish Government, that His Majesty’s
Government had direct relations with the Sheikh of Bahrein, and that the island and
its natives were under British protection. He went on to say that His Majesty’s
Government were within their rights in taking measures to obtain redress for the
outrage committed there.
This statement was repeated later in the year to the Turkish Ambassador, when
he was informed that His Majesty’s Government must decline to entertain any further
representations from the Turkish Government on the subject.
(3.) Turkish Declarations.
At an interview, on the 25th April, 1871, between M. Pisani (chief Dragoman to
the British Embassy) and the Grand Vizier (Aali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ), in reference to a contemplated
Turkish Expedition to Nejd, Aali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said the British Ambassador might give the
most positive assurances to Her Majesty’s Government that the Porte entertained no
intention whatever of obtaining the supremacy over Bahrein.
On the 10th December, 1871, an assurance was given, in reference to the Nejd
Expedition, by Server Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , then Minister for Foreign Affairs, to M. Pisani (first
Dragoman of the British Embassy), to the effect that the Sublime Porte had no
intention of attacking or obtaining any supremacy over the independent tribes on the
coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Sir Clare Ford, No. 537,
November 19, 1893.
Sir Clare Ford, No. 598,
December 26, 1893.
1895.
To Sir P. Currie, No. 206,
May 30, 1895; and from
ditto, No. 401, June 2,
1895.
Sir P. Currie, No. 520,
August 12, 1895.
1895.
To Rustem Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , August
23, 1895.
To Anthopoulos Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , De
cember 5, 1896.
1896.
Sir P. Currie, No. 141,
February 19, 1896.
1905.
To Mr. Townley, No. 59,
February 22, 1905.
To Musurus Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , May
20, 1905.
1871.
Sir H. Elliot, No. 1/1, April
26, 1871. i
1871.
Sir H. Elliot, No. 422, De
cember 10, 1871.