'File 19/218 (C 84) Bahrain Succession' [‎64r] (129/210)

Extract from a D.^jpaoch No. 194 of 1S98 da,ted the 27th
October 1898, from \ae Oovernraent of India in the Foreign
Department to the Ri^ht Hon'ble LordQeor^e P. Hamilton, Her
Majesty*s Secretary of State for India.
The Sheikh of Bahrein has expressed* a desire that the
* Enclosures Nos. 1 and 2<. British Government
should recognise his eldest) taxttax son. Sheikh Hamed, as
successor designate to the Chiefship► Lieutenant-Colonel
Meade is of opinion tnat it is desirable to take a more decided
position in respect to Bahrein: he recommends that we should
accede to the 3heikh T s request, and that advantage should be
taken of the opportunity to secure control of the customs of
Bahrein and to appoint, as our representative in the island,
a political Officer of higher rank than our present 4gent.
2. The Gnief of Bahrein is bound, under the terms of the
vide Aitchison's Treaties, ..Ureement si^ied on the
&c (3rd jkiition), Yol.X,
pa^es 120-i21. 22nd December 1880, ! to
abstain from entering into negotiations or making treaties of
any sort with any State or Government other than the British
Vvithout the consent of the said British Gr-overnment, and to
refuse permission to any other Government than the British to
establish diplomatic or consular agencies or caaling depots 1
in his territory, without similar consent. The Chief is also
entitled, under Qettain circumstances,9 to British support for
of^he^SMay 1 !^!?' Jonitenuian ^ maintenance
of the security of
hib posc;ejoi )i.3, nd British subjects of every denomination may
resiue na carry on lawful trade in Bahreixi territories»
3. Under these circumstances, it does not a^ear to us that
our position in ros^eco uo Bahrein stands in need of revision;
while it is raaiim of general policy to avoid interference in the
internal affairs of a Ghiefship and particularly in dynastic
disputes, "he '■.eaknesslpf the present Sheikh's rule has, however,
+ ^ee despatch T rom the Fiven riap + *■« xi x
Government of India, No. 0 in the ^ ast
19:., dated the 23rd
October 1874.