'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎51r] (107/230)

c. Important later news is that a few days after the departure of H. M. S.
Brawble the Mutasarrif of El-Hasa arrived with the intention of taking the
mail steamer to Busrah; but on learning the state ot affairs, and being met by
a letter from Tasim, he abandoned that design and proceeded instead at once
to Zobarah. lasim's letter is said to have informed the Mutasarrif of the purport
of the warning he had received from me, and added that the removal of settlers
■a\ 7obarah was a matter for the Turkish authorities; that it was desirable to
raise the'Turkish flag, and that he awaited the arrival of the Mutasarrif there.
It is further reported by the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent that information had reached
him that representatives of the Manasir and Beni-Hajir tribes had visited
Sheikh Sultan, had received valuable presents, and had entered into compacts to
support him.
6. Sheikh Sultan in his letter asks for delay in obeying the order for his
removal at the close of the pearl season. Such delay is, in my opinion, quite
inadmissible : it is not justified by any necessity of the situation, and can only be
Intended to afford time for consolidating the position and for the operation ot
intrio-ues to secure its permanence. I regard his expressed readiness to be
reconciled with his Chief as empty words, and consider that he now feels himself
too much enmeshed in the intrigues of Jasim and others to return to his former
nosition under Bahrein. Should he thoroughly realize that his aspirations for a
settlement at Zobarah, supported by Jasim and local Chiefs with possibly
Turkish connivance, are hopeless, his attitude might very probably change.
Sheikh Tasim's letter is evidently merely an evasion, and his pretence of
looking for our assistance in proceedings which he well knows to be direct y
oDDosed to the policy of Government, is curiously bold. By the " owners to
whom he proposes to leave Katr, he must be taken to mean the Turks.
7. Bahrein trade has increased, and to this fact may probably be attributed
the movement with regard to Zobarah, which now threatens to assume more
imnortance A settlement there fostered by Jasim's machinations, with possibly
higher support, is regarded by Sheikh Esa as fatal to the well-being of Bahrein.
It would I consider, lead to grave complications, besides furnishing a base tor
actual aggression. The Albin-Ali who have gone there are said to number
some i sol including women and children; and should success be permitted to
-ittend 'their movement, it is to be feared that the Naeem, Chaban and Dawasir
tribes might be seduced from their allegiance to Bahrein and be led to abandon
it and join the seceders to its entire ruin.
8 On the foregoing considerations I am led to the conclusion that the
threatened situation"calls for absolute prohibition to be carried into effect by force
ic n^poccarv I therefore ventured to recommend in my telegram of the 2nd that
I should be authorised to enforce the demand upon the Albin-Ah to evacuate
7nbarah bv seizing their boats if necessary. A distinct threat in this sense would,
1 hope, suffice—to be followed by action only if required by the circumstances.
— — f
No. 75, dated Busbire, the 22nd April 1895.
From— colonel F. A. Wilson, 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. ,
To— Sheikh Jasim-bin-Thani.
After compliments. —It has been reported to me that Sultan Sheikh-bin-
Mobamed Salamah in defiance of the wishes of his Chief, Sheikh-Lsa-bin-
Al° intends to form a settlement at Zobarah, and that in this matter he has your
support and assistance.
You are well aware that such a settlement at Zobarah is in direct opposition
to the will of the Government. 1 have now received the orders of Government m
this matter and I accordingly have to convey to you a strong and very distinct
warning that such a settlement will not be permitted. \ ou will therefore clear y
undersfand that, in order to retain the favour and ^ 0 r ^ e G d 0Vernment ' ) 0U
must at once abandon any such project which will not be tolerated.
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