'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎87r] (181/230)

Iliat tbeir moveincnts are controlled. I umlersfand that Commander Pally
has some doubt of the efficacy of further proceedings against the Albin-Ali,
ovvinir to the Turks having taken matters into their own hands. In my
opinion, however, the hoisting of the Turkish flag on a boat of that tribe,
need in no way be held to demand a recognition that such boat is rightfully
under the protection of that Government, or to bar a seizure.
Meantime the nine boats sent from Bahrein for the conveyance to that place
from Zobarah, of the family and followers of Shaikh Salim-bin-Hamad, remain
in detention at Zobarah. It is desirable, I venture to submit, that these should
be forcibly recovered, failing compliance with a demand for their release.
Commander Pelly has not, however, stated that he has information whether
the boats are in a position to be readily recovered and may not be prepared
to undertake the operation with the means at his disposal.
3. I would request special reference to the report that II. M.S. Sphinx
will very shortly require coal, and that it will be necessary for her to return
to Bushire to obtain it about the 20th instant. Though service at the
present moment in these seas, is, and brobably will be, for at least four weeks
to come, a very severe trial for a European crew, I would hesitate to recom
mend even a temporary withdrawal of all protection, and the means of enfor
cing our authority, from Bahrein at the present juncture. Information has
constantly reached me that extreme uneasiness and alnrm prevail among the
inhabitants, and that people have in consequence left the place. While con
sidering therefore, as I have already reported, that in all the present circum
stances, an attack is not seriously to be apprehended, it would, in my opinion,
be imprudent, having regard to the state of local feeling, to leave the place
without the support ot; a visible evidence of our power. I would accordingly
submit, for the consideration of Government, that another war vessel should
be sent.
4. I have been unable to get any infornation of a second Turkish gun
boat having been sent to Zobarah as mentioned by Commander Pelly. X hardly
think it possible that there should be a second vessel, unless such should have
come from some place beyond the Gulf.
Dated Bahrein, the 6th August 1895.
p rom — Captain J. H. Telly , Conmiander and Senior Naval Officer,
To—The 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. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honuor to inform you that I left this port on the 31st July and
proceeded to Zobarah arriving there the same day. The Turkish gun-vessel
Zuhofvt&s there on our arrival, and the Captain informed me that his orders
were to await the arrival of the Mutasarrif of El-Hasa, whom he expected daily,
and in the meantime to keep off any threatened attack on Bahrein. He also
said that his spies had reported to him that there were 14,000 men armed with
Martini -Henry rifles about four hours* walk inland. A Bahreini who swam off
to the ship at Zobarah, stated that Jassim had with him just outside Zobarah about
50 of his following and that the report about the 14,000 men was incorrect.
I left Zobarah on the morning of the 2nd instant, and proceeded to the pearl-
banks off Has Lufan and upon nearing a batch of boats, several of them made for
the shore, and as it was blowing fresh and I was unable to overtake them, I fired,
a blank charge and in response one of them hoisted Turkish colors. There is no
doubt from the evidence of the natives on board at* the time that these boats
belong to Zobarah, and this coincides with the report I heard that all Zobarah
boats have been supplied with a Turkish flag.
The Zuhaf visited boats at Fasht-al Debel on Saturday, and asked
whether there were any Bahrein boats there, and upon being informed there
were none, they ordered the Zobarah boats not to leave that position for three days,
when they would be further communicated with. I have forwarded the reply
to the Turkish Mudir of Zobarah, in accordance with your memorandum dated
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