'File 19/109 I (C 12) Bahrein Chief's relations with British Govt. and other Powers' [‎54r] (117/411)

{Received on 13th March J906, under cover of a letter from His Britannic
Majesty's Minister^ Tehran^ No. 4, dated 1st February 1906.)
Tehran,
27th January 1906.
No. 11.
Sir,
"With reference to Sir A. Hardinge's despatch No. 180 of August 21st last
and my telegram No. 24 of the 25th instant, I have the honour to transmit
herewith translation of a note which I have received from the Mushir-ed-
Dowleh regarding the claims of the Persian Government to Bahrein. In
telegraphing the substance of His Excellency's note to you I renture to express
the opinion that although the language of the enclosed communication was not
actually uncivil, its tone appeared to me to be open to objection, In these
circumstances I had the honour to ask for your instructions as to whether I
should decline to receive it.
The note bears every mark of being the Shah's own composition, as I
doubt whether either the Grand Vizier or the Mushir-ed-Dowleh would on their
own initiative have addressed such a communication to the representative of
a Foreign Government.
I am confidentially informed that the tone at the Persian Court is very
anti-European, the Shah and his courtiers apparently believing that what
Japan can do Persia is also in a position to accomplish.
In a country where the administration is hardly on a level with that of
Hayti or San Domingo, and where the chief power is in the hands of a sovereign
compared to whom Bomba was an enlightened patriot, such pretentions
can only excite mirth, but I have reported the matter as a curious and perhaps
significant effect of the late Russo-Japanese War on Persian thought.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant.
E. GRANT-LUFF.
The Right Hon'ble Sir Edward Grey, Bart.,
etc., etc., etc.
Mushir-ed-Dowleh to Me. E. Geant-Duff, 9tli January 1906.
Translation.
In reply to the note addressed by the British Legation respecting the
natives of Bahrein, I have the honour to state that in the case of Bahrein and
its inhabitants the Persian Government, who consider that place its own
unquestionable property and its people its own subjects, and who in accordance
with the sacred treaties expected every assistance from the friendly Power in
case of any emergency, see that during this time contrary to the treaties of
1809, 1814 and 1867 all steps taken by the English officials had no other object
but to weaken the allegiance of the people and the Sheikhs of Bahrein to the
Persian Government and to establish their own authority in the bond fide
property of the Persian Government as it has been also meant in the note
under reply. Frequent representations and protests have been made both here
and in London, but although the British Government have taken no exception
to the ownership and 'sovereignty of Persia over Bahrein, the British Govern
ment have not allowed Persian legal rights to be enforced there.