'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎19] (38/204)

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from the Chiefs. Of this sum 16,200 krans were paid to two claimants, who had
Political A, December .868, Nos. 39-4.. gi ^ 1 Pr ?? f 0 l l0SSeS ' The reSult WaS
regarded by Government as satisfactory,
CHAPTER VIII.
(1) Persian protest against our measures.
(2) Persian claim to sovereignty over Bahrein repudiated as In
effective.
(3) But as a matter of courtesy intimation of intended penal measures
against Bahrein to be given to Shah's Government.
1869.
71. Our recent measures against the Chief of Bahrein elicited a protest
Political A, March 1869, Nos. 118-119. ^ rom the Shah s Government addressed to
our Ambassador Mr. Alison, in which
Bahrein was claimed to be " the property of Persia." A similar protest was sent
to Colonel Felly by the Foreign Agent at Shiraz. 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. made
the following interesting comments on this in his letter No. i, dated 16th January
1869.
" Government will perceive that the Persian Foreign Minister pretends that Bahrein
' is the property of Persia.' The British Government hold and emphatically opposite
opinion, as will appear from the subjoined extracts from a series of letters:—
Sir Charles Wood, to His Excellency the Governor of Bombay, No. 2, dated 18th
February 1861 —" Bahrein should be regarded as independent, and subject neither to
• See paragraphs 32 and 33, paragraphs 43- A, I UT key nor to Persia."*
and 43-B, ante.
Lord Cranborne, to His Excellency the Right Hon'ble the Governor General of India,
No. 37, of 28th February 1867.—'' Her Majesty's Government express their approval of
your having at once informed Mr. Alison that the British Government are not prepared
to admit the Persian pretensions to sovereignty over it" (Bahrein).
Extract, paragraph g, of Sir H. Rawlinson's letter to 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. ,
No. 16, of 4th May i860.—' l I have further pointed out that under no possible circums
tances can the British Government be expected to concur in the proposed transfer of the
sovereignty of Bahrein to the Persian Crown, since we have contracted engagements with
the Arab Sheikhs of the island as independent Chiefs, and since the maintenance of their
independence is indispensable to the successful working of those plans of Maritime Police
. „ , „ , in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. which we have been at so
f ee paragrap 29 an e. much pains and expense to establish," f
Again, in the correspondence now noted, Government laid down, in reference <( to
| / Letter from Major Hennel, Resident, Persian the designs of Turkey to establish a Supremaey
to I uif, to Secretary to Government, Bombay, dated Over JDahrein, that it IS OuVlOUSiy desirable to
S 10th May 1847. No. 3. Secret Department. exclude aS much as possible all interference by
^ J Government reply No. 334, dated 31st July 1847, foreign powers in the affairs of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
^ jSecret Department, and . • 1 u i. • • .i 1 •
Government letter No. 512, dated 25th November since it is only by retaining the supreme authority
^ § 1847, Secret Department, enclosing extract, para- in its own hands that the British Government
g nlgraph I, from the Hon'ble Secret Committer, dated can h 0 p e to secure the permanence of the
v) 6th October 1847 objects it has gained in that quarter at such a
large expense," and a the Hon'ble the Board of Directors ruled that any attempt upon
Bahrein ought to be resisted by the naval force in the Gulf" and "authorised Government
to instruct the Resident accordingly. On subsequent occasion it was laid down
by the Government of India that Her Majesty's Government would not admit of the
Vide Mr, Secretary Goldsmid's letter No. .66, occupation of Bahrein by the Turkish Govern-
Secret Department, dated 31st May 1853, to Cap- ment, or by any one acting for it or in its in-
tain A. B, Kemball, Resident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and terests " and " consequently, that the Government
enclosure, from bcvernment o; India, No, 177, o£ I nc li a should offer everv obstacle to an attack
May ,b5:i - tse<! 24 - A ' upon that island by the Wahabee Chief."
Again; Mr. Alison, in his letter to this Office No. 25, of 26th July 1862, considered
himselt a precluded, under instructions from the Foreign Office, from entering into any
discussions on the subject of Bahrein with the Persian Government.
The Persian Foreign Minister pretends that " the right of Persia over the Port
of Omman" (Omman, including the Muscat territories, and a portion of the Arab littoral