'File No. E/3. QATAR - Shaikhs Jasim & Ahmad al Thani & death of Shaikh Jasim in 1913' [‎28r] (67/394)

(Received on the 15th August with Political Secre
1904.
PERSIA AND ARABIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1
Sir N. O'Conor to the Ma:
No. 516. Secret.
My Lord,
I have carefully considered the subjec
ship's despatch No. 203 of the 7th im
remarks:—
In the first place, I do not think it is
Sheikh Ahmed-hin-Thani, of El Katr, o
occurred in the cancelling of the appoir
Ottoman Government have agreed, alt
appointment, and Mr. Crow's despatch No
although action has been delayed, the Wa
instructions in the sense desired by His Mc
attempt ultimately to evade their executio
In my telegram No. 218 (Secret)* of t
• Pro. No. 289, Secret E., May 1904., Nob. 234- refraii
Your
ledgment seems to infer that an arrangeme
Trucial Chiefs, did not involve any departur
political status quo in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to
have declared their adhesion. The ques
requiring careful consideration, setting its
ill-feeling which it will provoke in the mine
seeing how far it could be justified as gi
right to restrain foreign interference in El K
way to disturb, vis-a-vis to the Turkish Gov
one argument that will be of much use
jent to the Convention, although I should ;
a continuance of the agreement made in
Thani, referred to in the 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. letter
In any case I would suggest, should his!
favour of concluding a Convention with S]
Trucial Conventions, the expediency of doin
as possible, and basing their action upon th<
suppress piracy, and to maintain intact th<
tribes on the coast.
I do not consider that it is YourLordsh
opinion on the merits and necessity of the p
of India to advocate a Convention with the
as there are others far more competent to g
(Received on the 15tli August with Political Secrecary's letter No. 31, dated the 29th July
1904.)
PERSIA AND ARABIA. [4th July.]
CONFIDENTIAL. • S ection 6.
No. 1.
Sir N. 0'Conor to the Marquess of Lansdowne.
No. 516. Secret. Therapia,
My Lord, 28th June 1904.
I have carefully considered the subject and coifrespondence in Your Lord
ship's despatch No. 203 ol the 7th instant, and beg to offer the following
remarks:—
In the first place, I do not think it is possible to justify a Convention with
Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani, of El Katr, on the ground of the delay which has
occurred in the cancelling of the appointment of the Mudir of Wakra. The
Ottoman Government have agreed, although reluctantly, to annul the
appointment, and Mr. Crow's despatch No. 25 of the 16th ultimo shows that,
although action has been delayed, the Wali does not deny that he has received
instructions in the sense desired by His Majesty's Government, o:c that he w r iU
attempt ultimately to evade their execution.
In my telegram No. 218 (Secret)* of the 14th November 1903, I carefully
• Pro. No. 289, secret e., May 1904, Nos. 234- refrained from expressing the opnion, as
Your Lordship's despatch under acknow
ledgment seems to infer that an arrangement, such as the Convention with the
Trucial Chiefs, did not involve any departure from the policy of maintaining the
political status quo in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to which His Majesty's Government
have declared their adhesion. The question seemed to be one essentially
requiring careful consideration, setting its urgency and advantages against £he
ill-feeling which it will provoke in the minds of the Ottoman Government, and
seeing how far it could be justified as giving His Majesty's Government the
right to restrain foreign interference in El Katr without attempting in any other
way to disturb, vis-a-vis to the Turkish Government, the status qtw. This is
one argument that will be of much use in reconciling the Turkish Govern-
jent to the Convention, although I should also remind them that it was only
a continuance of the agreement made in 1868 with Sheikh Muhammad-bin-
Thani, referred to in the 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. letter of the 20th May.
In any easel would suggest, should his His Majesty's Government decide in
favour of concluding a Convention with Sheikh Ahmed on the lines of the
Trucial Conventions, the expediency of doing so in as quiet and secret a manner
as possible, and basing their action upon the necessity of acquiring pow r er to
suppress piracy, and to maintain intact the pearl-fishing rights of the Arab
tribes on the coast.
I do not consider that it is Your Lordship's desire that I should express my
opinion on the merits and necessity of the policy that prompts the Government
of India to advocate a Convention with the Sheikh of Katr, Ahmed-bin-Thani,
as there are others far more competent to give a valuable opinion upon this