'Memorandum on Bahrein' [‎13r] (25/62)

25
illustrating the view taken by Her Majesty's Government of the Sheikh as an
independent ruler who might deal direct with foreign Powers.
104. In August 1872, a further complaint having been received from Turkey
of British proceedings in regard to Bahrein and the commission of "acts of
sovereignty " on the part of the English, the Ambassador was informed in
reply that enquiries would be made into the point raised by him and that his Ambassador,
Government might rest assured that it was not the intention of Her Majesty's 3 0
Government to interfere in the affairs of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. beyond what was j ^ ^ p 0
imposed upon them by treaty for the preservation of peace in the waters. The 30.7.1872."
Ambassador was finally informed in April 1873, after investigation, that there
were no grounds whatever for the statement that the British Government had
attempted to exercise acts of sovereignty over Bahrein.
105. In 1874, consequent on a Turkish claim to conscript Bahreinis resident
in Basra, the Turkish Ambassador in London was referred to the British Notes
of 1851 and 1870 (paragraphs 61 and 99 above), which stated that Her Majesty's
Government did not admit the claims of Turkey to consider Bahrein as part
of the Ottoman dominions. In the same year, on a piratical attack being made
on the island by certain Bahreini exiles who had signed a petition claiming
Turkish protection, the Ambassador at Constantinople handed a memorandum
to the Porte in which it was stated that Her Majesty's Government could not
recognise any rights or pretensions of the Porte over Bahrein. In 1875 a rumour
that Her Majesty's Government were fortifying Bahrein led to representations Lor. i, 914.
from Turkey. The rumour was unfounded and the Turks were so informed. On
its becoming known about the same time that the Turks themselves contemplated Lor. t, 915.
building a lighthouse on the island, the British Government entered a protest
at Constantinople (October 1875), with the result that the project was abandoned.
106. In 1876, consequent on steps taken by the Turkish authorities to enforce
the claims of Qatar merchants against Bahreinis, a Note was addressed to th.-
Porte reminding them of the determination of Her Majesty's Government to
protect Bahrein against any attack on its independence.
107. In 1879-80 the Turkish Government took up the cause of the rebels
of 1869. Her Majesty's Government, after again disclaiming the exercise of Lor. I, 915.
sovereignty over Bahrein, which they regarded, they said, as independent,
promised to make enquiries as to certain acts of which complaint was made by
petitioners to the Turkish Government.
First Executive Agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the Sheikh
of Bahrein (1880)
108. In 1880 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. , finding that the Sheikh was disposed
to conclude a special arrangement with the British Government, entered on the
22nd December into what is known as the First Exclusive Agreement with him.
By this Agreement the Sheikh undertook on behalf of himself and his successors vitchison
in the Government of Bahrein to the British Government to abstain from enterino- Vol. xi,'
into negotiations or making treaties of any sort with any State or Government No xxii> 237
other than the British without the consent of the said British Government, and
to refuse permission to any other Government than the British to establisn
diplomatic or consular agencies or coaling depots in our territory, unless with
the consent of the British Government. This engagement does not apply to or
affect the customary friendly correspondence with the local authorities of neigh
bouring States on business of minor importance." The agreement was anoroved
by Her Majesty's Government and ratified in 1881.
Summary, 1870-80
109. The claims of the Wahabi Amir disappear with the subjugation of
Hasa by the lurks in 1871. The I urkish claim was repeatedly pressed durin 0-
this period and was consistently rejected by Her Majesty's Government.
The Persian claim appears to have been dormant.
Her Majesty's Government repudiate suggestions that they have committed
acts of sovereignty and continue to express their view that the Sheikh is
an independent ruler. In 1880 the Sheikh entered into his first exclusive agree
ment with Her Majesty's Government.
85—177