![‘Précis of correspondence on international rivalry and British policy in the Persian Gulf, 1872-1905.’ [‎55r] (110/116)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0001cd/IOR_L_PS_20_C247_0110.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Précis of correspondence on international rivalry and British policy in the Persian Gulf, 1872-1905.’ [‎55r] (110/116)")
‘Précis of correspondence on international rivalry and British policy in the Persian Gulf, 1872-1905.’ [55r] (110/116)
The record is made up of 1 volume (58 folios). It was created in 1906. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
99
concession for pearl fishers in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, which would interfere with the
prescriptive rights of protected tribes.
326. In the same year a Hindu trader residing at Maskat obtained the per-
_ „ . mission of Sheikh Zaid-bin-Kalifah, Chief
Secret E., February 1901, Nos. 151-153. r a 1 i-i 1 • . v r i u U
of Abu 1 habi, to dive for pearls on a bank
situated within the Sheikh's jurisdiction and engaged a member of the Beni Yas
tribe to conduct the party to the point. The venture was, however, a failure.
In connection with this case the Chief of Bahrein and other Trucial Chiefs
expressed the opinion that no Chief had the right to give any such permission
as the pearling banks were the common property of the Coast Arabs.
327. In 1902 a British Indian subject desired to lease the Abu Thabi cus
toms and obtained a concession for pearl
Secret E, August ,90.. Nc S . fishing in Abu Thabi waters: ^ Xhe Ass i st .
ant
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 pointed out to this man that, since pearling
banks were regarded as the common property of the Arab divers, no Chief could
grant a concession to any individual to employ modern diving apparatus in
pearling operations off the Arabian Coast of the Gulf.
328. Early in 1903 Colonel Kemball reported that two Frenchmen named
Dumas and Castelin had arrived at Bahrein with the intention, it was suspected, of
prospecting the pearl banks round that island. The Chief however refused to
entertain any proposals on the subject. Subsequently Monsieur Dumas' Assist
ant proceeded to Marseilles. It was supposed that he had gone to engage a
diver. The last report received was to the effect that Mons. Dumas had left
Bahrein for Baghdad on account of the plague, but it was presumed that he would
return later on.
329. The Government of India entirely approved of the Sheikh's action in the
matter and advised that in the event of either of these parties re -appeanng
at Bahrein, the Chief should refuse to render the assistance of any description.
Colonel Kemball was to advice the other Chiefs also, who might be similarly
approached, to return a similar response (letter No. 778-E.-A., dated 9th
March 1904).
330. The following despatch (No. 63, dated 10th March 1904) was then
addressed to the Secretary of State:-—
tf In the course of our recent examinations of problems connected with the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
,
the question of tbe pea l-fisheries that have so long existed there has come under our
notice Important questions, both of policy and international law, are involved; and
althcucrh none of these has fortunately hitherto assumed an acute shape it seems to us
desirable that the matter should be considered now, in order that we may know how to act
should any sudden or unexpected development occur. W e therefore address you on the
subject.
2 The approximate limits of the pearling grounds in the neighbourhood of the Arab
littoral are indicated on the enclosed copy of a chart of the Gulf in addit.on to those
marked ; there are also shoals in the neighbourhood of Kharak Island and at other po.nts
along the Persian Coast, which are regularly exploited and frequently^ yield considirable
returns. We are immediately concerned, however, only with those lying on the Arabian
side of the Gulf, Along this coast lie the territories of the several 1 rue, a I Ch .efs, the
peninsula of El Katr, the island of Bahrein, the 1 urkish province of El Hassa, and the
domains of the Sheikh of Koweit. The pearl banks appear from time .mmcmorial to have
been open, without distinction, to the Arabs of the entire bttoral ; and though there are
no definite inter tribal limits, the external boundaries of the fisheries are well known In
trusion s rescented; the principal Chiefs have in past expressed the view that the
fisheries are common property, and that no Chief has, therefore, the right to grant any con
cession to outside parties; and believing as they do that the shallower waters are depend-
cession to ouisia p , ^ ^ells, their objections relate not only to interference
on the Ihoals which are habitually fished by their dependents, but also to the exploitation
of tbe deeper waters beyond.
1 His Maiesty's Government are aware of the close relations which exist between the
Arabsof his coast and the Indian Government, b.nce 1843 we have held from he
Trucfal Chiefs agreements to rafrain from any breach of the peace at sea, and in .892 the
Sheikhs concluded fresh compacts binding themselves not to enter into and agreement or
sneiKns conciuu p j ther t i ian the Br tish Government; not to consent, except
^rnment, to the residence within their territories of
About this item
- Content
The volume, stamped ‘Secret’ on the front cover and frontispiece, is a précis of British Government correspondence relating to international rivalry and British policy in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. between 1872 and 1905. It was prepared by Judge Jerome Antony Saldanha of the Bombay Provincial Civil Service, and published in 1906 by the Government of India Foreign Department, Simla, India.
Saldanha’s preface to the volume, dated 29 January 1906, lists other volumes of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Précis where materials relating to British policy in the Gulf may be found, and summarises the change in British policy in the Gulf under Lord Curzon’s [Viceroy of India, 1899 to 1903) administration (from ‘“spirited” active policy’ to ‘passive vigilance’). The contents of the volume’s chapters (with chapter titles shown in italics) run as follows:
1. Evidences of Foreign activity in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , covering: the increase in Russian influence in the Gulf (movements of Russian individuals and the appearance in the Gulf of Russian merchant vessels); French and German activity in the Gulf, including the Frenchman Hyacinthe Chapuy; the activity of other foreign powers (chiefly the United States); and a tabulated list of foreign naval vessels known to have visited the Gulf;
2. Colonel Pelly’s proposal for establishing the Political Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. main Telegraph Station and Coal Depot near Cape Mussandim [Musandam, Oman] , 1863 ;
3. Suggestions for improving British interests in Persia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , 1885-86 ;
4. General policy in the Gulf, 1899-1903, including: Lord Curzon’s despatches on foreign activity in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and measures to be taken to maintain British interests; Lord Curzon’s despatch, dated 9 November 1901, on Russia’s intentions to construct a railway line through Persia, and Russia’s designs on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; a minute, written by Lord Curzon, on Russian ambitions in eastern Persia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; important pronouncements and declarations of policy by the Marquess of Lansdowne (Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, then British Secretary of State for War), 1902-03;
5. Lord Curzon’s tour in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , November to December 1903 ;
6. Selection of a naval basis in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Question of control and jurisdiction over the coast of Khor Kalba [Kalbā] , on the Batinah coast to Tibbat near Khor-as-Shem [Khor ash Shamm], including: movements of the Russian cruiser Gilyak in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , 1900; the question of control of the entrance to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and jurisdiction over the coast from Kalba to Tibbat; the political and strategic value of Kishm [Qeshm] and Hormuz, and the question of the telegraphic connection with Bassidore, 1902; reoccupation of the old telegraph buildings at Elphinstone inlet and the erection of flag staffs at certain points near Mussandim [Musandam]; the Fajeira [Fujairah] dispute;
7. Telegraphic communications with Maskat [Muscat] , Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām] and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] , 1899-1905 , including: telegraphic connections with Maskat, and proposals for the extension of the line to Bandar Abbas, reestablishment of the telegraph station at Henjam; extension of the telegraph line to Bandar Abbas; encroachment of Persian customs officials on telegraph station ground at Henjam, and the erection of Persian and customs flag staffs on the island; Persian customs interference with Henjam mail bags, 1904-05;
8. Our position at Bassidore [on Qeshm island], including: the alleged intention of Russians to take possession of Kishm [Qeshm], and the British position at Bassidore; the extent of Bassidore territory; proposed emigration of the Bu Smeit tribe from Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh] to Bassidore, 1987-1901; the desire of Shaikh Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Mether of Jezirat Shaikh Shuaib to emigrate to Bassidore, 1902; proposed British trading settlement at Bassidore, 1902; immigration of Persian subjects to Bassidore, 1905; refusal of the Persian merchant Moin-ut-Tujjar’s request to be allowed to store red ochre at Bassidore, 1905;
9. Marine survey of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. of certain naval harbours in the Gulf , including: surveys of Bahrain waters, Bushire and Koweit [Kuwait] harbours and Khor Abdulla; survey of Khor Kaliya, Bahrain; report on Khor Musa; report on Charbar Bay;
10. Protection from foreign enterprise the rights of Arab tribes in the pearl fisheries of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (58 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged into ten chapters, preceded by a preface and contents page. Each chapter is organised by subheadings, and its paragraphs numbered. The paragraph numbers are continuous throughout the whole volume, beginning on 1 at the start of the first chapter, and ending on 333 at the end of the tenth chapter. A contents page at the front of the volume (ff.4-5) lists the chapters by their headings and subheadings, with each referred to by paragraph, rather than page, numbers.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence, with page numbers located top and centre of each page.
Condition: There is a small amount of insect damage, in the form of small holes, to most pages. This damage is restricted to the margins of the pages, and therefore does not affect any text.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
‘Précis of correspondence on international rivalry and British policy in the Persian Gulf, 1872-1905.’ [55r] (110/116), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/C247, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024116549.0x00006f> [accessed 6 May 2024]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100024116549.0x00006f
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100024116549.0x00006f">‘Précis of correspondence on international rivalry and British policy in the Persian Gulf, 1872-1905.’ [‎55r] (110/116)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100024116549.0x00006f"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0001cd/IOR_L_PS_20_C247_0110.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x0001cd/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/20/C247
- Title
- ‘Précis of correspondence on international rivalry and British policy in the Persian Gulf, 1872-1905.’
- Pages
- front, back, front-i, 2r:50r, 51r:57v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence