'File 19/139 I (C 60) Steamer for Bahrain and neighbouring ports' [‎10r] (28/160)

11* 5' ^
Phis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
TURKE l r .
[April 8.]
S T F1DENTIAL.
Section 1.
597]
No. 1.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. to Foreign Office.—(Received April 8.)
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , April 7, 1914.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward, to be laid before
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a telegram that has been received
n the Government of India regarding a proposal of the British India Steam
ligation Company to run a local line of steamers between Bahrein, Katif, Ojair,
&c. . .
In view of the increasing activity of German trade in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the
rquess of Crewe agrees with the Government of India that it is important that
British India Company should be first in the field. He would be glad to know
ether Sir Edward Grey sees any objection 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. furnishing to
company's agents letters of introduction which they can forward to Sheikhs Abdulla
I Bin Sand.
ACTING Resident, Bushire, telegraphs as follows : —
"The British India Company have a project of running a small steamer on a
al service between Bahrein, Katif, Ojair, Katr, &c., and have approached me in
inection with it with a request for introductory letters to Abdulla, the Sheikh of
itr. The scheme, in my opinion, deserves strong support by us, but until I have
ur sanction I hesitate to authorise the 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. at Bahrein to give the letters
sed for. I beg that your sanction may be given telegraphically. A similar letter
ght usefully be sent later on to Bin Saud. The company understand that similar
dertaking is contemplated by a native of Bahrein, and, in order to lie the first in the
Id, desire to take early action."
We consider it important that the British India Company should not be forestalled
this coast, and propose to authorise letter to Abdulla. _. „ , .
Is any objection seen by His Majesty's Government to sending Bin Saud similar
ter ?
T Qm rvP
T. W. HOLDERNESS.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Government of India
April 4, 1914.
jlegraphic.) P.
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