File 395/1908 Pt 1 'Persian Gulf: Katif; British-Indian commercial interests at Katif ' [‎166r] (180/195)

Dated Bushire, the 9th September 1900 (Confidential).
From-LIBUTMAST-COLOSIDL C. A. Kembali, 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. in the Persian
Gulf, T j•
To— J. B, Wood, Esq., I.C.S., Under- Secretary to the Government of India
in the Foreign Department.
T forward, for the information of the Government of India copies of
nor tain correspondence which has passed between Mr. Gaskin, Mr. Shipley, and
mTself reeardine trading interests at Katif of some Hindu bamas living
Bahrein f do not propose to take any official action m the matter, and I
have told Gaskin to let it drop; but I think it as well to report the case to
you.
Dated Bahrein, the 10th August 1900.
From—J. C. Gaskin, Esq., Assistant 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. at Bahrein
To-LiioTENANi-CoBorat, C. A. Kimball, 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
This morning a deputation from the banias called upon me in reference
to their trading with Katif. immemo rial members of their community
have^t attd 'with
place much to their ^djantage. mero , iants at Kati f, wh o have seats
It appears there are advantage of their position and use
in the Local Government ^ delay passing the banias’ merchan-
their influence with custama avi hor^s ^delay^pa^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
dise for export t * arrive at the market of destination and securing
advantage of being customs they influence the donkeymen,
the higher price ; if they tail wit prohibit shipment on some absurd
and lastly get ‘ ^ ^ 'rcr^ fave to^o extra quarantine, though they
grounds, such as the Ind a They state that they were exposed to
may have been months o ^ one 0 f their party who attempted
many insults and annoyance , Bahrein without going into the town,
to land at Katif was made t^^em with a view to keep them out of Katif
and ^compei^hem^to 6 carbon their business through one of the Katif
“"is a large export of^date^from Katif to Karachi amounting
to about 150,000 bags annua y tbe mar h e t for the pearls procured by
from India ma Bahrein. ^ tbe ] ar g e r portion of the Katif trade was
the Koweit pearling fleet. J 0 ™ ? it ba8 been taken entirely out of
carried on by the banias and i J banias, now there is only
their hands. W here there used to be tr f °“ u 7 h U ammad bin Abdul Wahab.
one there, who is under the protection of Mun ^ ^ Katif aDd want
The banias are anxious to t Governmont to look after their interests
a native agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. to be appointed J prepared to undergo the expenses, they
They state that if Government is P advance annually for five
are lilling to guarantee £ 100 per mensem. They have
years to meet the pay of a native agen ^ ^ conslde! ,atiou. I
asked me to put this pro))osition lv ior y appointment which would
think that there is much to recommend . d l i;. ou l d be useful in many
enhance our influence and prestige in tnese pans Uy of course ! d o
other ways besides being heneficia tin „ our having a native agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at
recommend the step, if it can be taken.