'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎96r] (199/230)

refusing reply. Sphinx accordingly seized seven boats tliere without
opposition, iviudlr in letter protested generally, claiming Zobarah as Turkish
territory and Albin Ali as having come under Turkish protection. Sphinx
proceeded Bahrein without replying. I am intimating Sphinx that no
attention need be paid to claini, and seizure boats may be prosecuted. Ends.
Shaikh Sultan is head of Albin-Ali at Zobarah. The action taken in the
matter has been approved.
Enclosures in Admiralty covering letter oj 19th June ISfJo.
Dated Busliire, the 4tli Ma}' 1885.
From— Captain J. H. Pelly , Cjmmander H. M. S, " Sphinx" at Bushirp,
To—R ear-Admiral E. C. Drummond.
I have the honour to report that I arrived at Bushire on the 27th April
and relieved Lieutenant and Commander Currey, H.M S. Bramble (who
had arrived the day previous from Bahrein) as Senior Oliicer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
Division.
2. With reference to the recent difficulty that had arisen at Bahrein, ne
cessitating the services of the Bramble there, it appearst hat Shaikh Sultan-
bin-Mahome 1 Salamah, a subject of Bahrein, had, in defiance of the will of his
Chief, departed to Zobarah with his tribe, the Albin-Ali, and intended forming
a settlement there with the support of Shaikh Jasim-bin-Thani.
3. Such a settlement being in direct opposition to the declared policy of
Government, Mr. Gaskin, Vice-Consul, was deputed to convey to Sheikh Sultan-
bin-Mohamed Salamah a strong warning that such a proceeding would not
be permitted; and in order that his mission might be the more increased in
force and authority by the presence of a man-of-war there, the services of
U.M.S. Bramble were requisitioned for this purpose.
4. A report of the movements of the Bramble and the result of this
mission is "iven in Lieutenant and Commander Currey's letter to Colonel
P. A. Wilson, on his return to Bushire, a copy of which is forwarded herewith
for your information.
5. 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. is in communication with the Government of
India as to the steps to be taken'in regard to this matter, and lias requested me
to remain here to be in readiness to convey him to Bahrein if necessary.
Dated Busbire, the 26th April 1895.
Lieutenant E. H. Currey , Commander, H. M. S. Bramble,
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 Gulp.
I have the honour to inform you, in accordance with your memorandum to
mc (No. 185, dated 21st April 18 ( J5), that having embarked Mr. Gaskin, Assist
ant Political' Resident at Bushire, and also Mahomed Rahim, 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
at Bahrein, I left Bushire on Monday, April 22nd, arriving at Bahrein the fol
io win 0, dav. Upon my arrival I landed, accompanied by Mr. Gaskin and
Mahomed kahim and paid a visit to the Shaikh Esa-bin-Ali. The Shaikh Esa-
bin-Ali stated his case and ended by assuring us that he was prepared to swear
bv the Koran that should Shaikh Suit m-bin-Mahomed Salamah return to
Bahrein he was prepared to receive him as if nothing had happened, and to
allow him and his tribe to reside in Bahrein as before.
Havin 0, received this assurance, I left the following day, Wednesday, April
24th, and proceeded to Zobarah, where I arrived in the evening.
On account of the shallowness of the water of this place, I was obliged
to anchor a Ion"- way from the shore, some 4 miles out, and in consequence Mr.
Gaskin, Mahomed Rahim, and 1 did not reach the shore till after 5 o'clock,
and Mr Gaskin did not have time to finish his conversation with Shaikh Sultan-
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