'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Turkish Expansion on the Arab Littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa and Katif [al-Qaṭīf] Affairs' [‎14] (31/164)

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Expedition temporarily postponed: Enquiries made from Porte re
garding it.
52. On the 31st March 1871, Colonel Herbert was requested to ascertain
from the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. whether any communica-
Ihid. (Nos. 587 and 589.) tion ^ ^ een m ^ e to our Minister at
Constantinople on the subject of the eKpedition. He replied that the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. did
not know. The expedition had, he said, been temporarily postponed. All the
information regarding the expedition was telegraphed home to ie ecrc ary o
State on the 31st March, and he was told:
" Warlike operations in any part of Gnlf to be deprecated as breach of maritime peace,
r destructive to our trade, and likely to give rise to
Ibid, (No. 688.) complications. Her Majesty's Government should
move Minister at Constantinople to communicate with Porte, state our objections, and
endeavour to stop operations by sea."
Earlier instructions given to Colonel Felly.
53. The Bombay Government, on the 11th April, telegraphed that Colonel
Pelly had reported that the belief in the
ibid. (No. 59i.) expedition was general in Bushire :—
"I am," said Colonel Pelly, indirectly asked whether Arabs would be forbidden aiding
Wahabis against Turks. I respectfully request instructions, and, unless specially ordered,
should not interfere, as maritime truce does n* t relate to Turks. If Government wish me to
watch proceedings, an efficient steamer would be necessary. 'Ihere is at present no Govern
ment vessel in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . I suggest that Government of India request Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ,
Baghdad, to keep me informed of expedition movement."
54. The Bombay Government was told:—
" In event of expedition sailing, Pelly should not interfere with proceedings of Turkish
authorities without specific orders from Govern-
(No. 592.) ment of India, to whom he should immediately
report. If Arabs take part in quarrel, he should limit his action strictly to maintaining
maritime truce. No vessel need be sent specially to Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . 'Porte' understood to
have sailed yesterday."
55. Colonel Pelly enquired on the 22nd April:—
Am I crrrect in understanding that Government of India desire me to use all influence
Ibid (No 599) towards preventing trucial Chiefs aiding Wahabis
against Turks, or in any way moving by sea?
What reply am I to give to Trucial Chiefs if. continuing to observe maritime peace, they ask
wheth# we will protect them attempting ( ?) from sea by Turks ? Would it not be advisable
/m , i t. n , •• • j to intimate to Turkish authority our en^a^ement
* For •reply to Colonel Felly's enquiries— cjie - ji m • i rn • c •, • j . j m T
paragraph Gyf with irucial Chiefs, as it is suspected Turks may
* have an eye on Bahrein/'*
Preparations for Expedition resumed.
56. Colonel Herbert telegraphed, on the 17th April, that preparations for
w rq.v the expedition were being resumed and
that it would leave Baghdad in a few days.
Three steam vessels had been ordered to convey six regiments and 12 guns.
One thousand Ar ib horses to go by land. The first portion of the force left
Baghdad on the 23rd April, and another detachment two days after.
Complications in Gulf.
57. The Bombay Government, on the 3rd May, forwarded the following'
n. cur from Colonel Pelly :—
Ibtd. (No. 611.) ^
<c Imam Saud and Bahrein Chief write'that Turkish Arab Chief of Koweit is preparing
to aid expedition. Imam requests Koweit may be restrained, or Imam be permitted to act by
sea. Bahrein Chief relies on trucial engagement and advice and protection. My respectful
opinion is, that Turkish expedition is on every account inexpedient, and should, if possible, be
averted. If persisted in, Indian Government are not committed to interfere under trucial
engagement as between Wahabis, Koweits. and Turks. 1 think we could not assent to a
naval attack by Turks or Koweit on trucial Chiefs loval to their engagements with us. I
t Para -raph 55 respectfully solicit early instructions on this tele-
0 gram and that of 22nd April."t