'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎79r] (165/230)

Copies of Commander Pelly's letter of proceedings of the 9th and of his two
letters of the 7fch to Shaikh Sultan, and of Mr. Gaskin's report of the 8th, and also
translation of the Mudir's communication, forwarded therewith, are enclosed.
4. My view has hitherto been that Turkish connection with the situation
at Zobara'h should be ingored as far as possible, and communication with Tur
kish officials avoided. I have now intimated to Commander Felly in a letter
despatched by the Lawrence on the 11th, of which I enclose a copy, that,
in my opinion, the claim advanced by the Mudir of the extension of Turkish
protection to the Albin-Ali tribe, in their present position, cannot be admitted,
and that his operations should proceed.
No. 133, dated Bushire, the 5tli July l'S95.
from—Colonel 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 — S haikh S ultan-bin- M ohamed S alamah.
After compliments. —My former letter informed you clearly that, accord
ing to the orders of Government, your establishment at Zabarah in defiance of
your Chief could not be permitted. You replied expressing your continued
submission to the will of Government, but asked for delay in obeying the com
munication then made to you, till the conclusion of the pearl season.- It was
quite impossible to admit this request and to allow you to act in defiance of the
will of your Chief and the well-known wishes of the Government for several
months' and the purport of your letter was accordingly reported to Govern
ment. Though you must have known that the delay could not be permitted,
you had taken no steps to do what was required of you up to 15 days ago.
Now I have to convey to you the final and strict orders of Government to
return at once with your tribe to Bahrein and your allegiance to your Chief.
Know that if you fail now to obey, active measures to compel you to do so
will no longer* be delayed. Be assured that these measures will be taken if
you hesitate any longer to do what is required of you, and a further communi
cation from me will not be necessary, as needful authority has been given to
the man-of-war which will take this order to you to proceed to act as may be
necessary.
In my former letter I assured you of my good offices towards your recon
ciliation with your Chief, and Shaikh Esa-bin-Ali also expressed his favorable
disposition towards you. Your conduct in continued resistance has not deserv
ed this.favor, but even now if you immediately submit yourself and return
to Bahrein, my recommendation in your favor will be made to Shaikh Esa.
I have hopes that you will not listen longer to the words of the evil-dis
posed persons who have misled you, and miy thus escape the consequences of
your rebellious conduct.
No. 2-S. Z., dated Bushire, the 5th July 1895.
Prom—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—C ommander J. H. Pelly , R.N., H. M. S. Sphinx.
You are aware of the general position with reference to the settlement
which, in defiance of the Chief of Bahrein, and in direct opposition to the
policy of Government, has been set up at Zobarah by Shaikh Sultan-bin-
Mohamed Salamah, with the support, it is understood, of Shaikh Jasim-bin-
Thani, and apparently the encouragement of the neig.ibouring Turkish author-
itv. Shaikh Sultan received a very distinct warning more tlian two months
ago that such a settlement would not be permitted. He replied requesting
that the demand for his evacuation of Zobarah might he postponed till the close
of the pearl season, at the same time professing submission.
This request was inadmissible, and I have now received the instructions
of Government to the effect that strict orders are to be conveyed to Shaikh
Sultan to return immediately with his tribe to Bahrein and to his allegiance
to his Chief, failing which active measures will be no longer delayed.