'Status of islands between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.' [‎47r] (93/228)

2 .
The chart docs not, however, hear out Yusuf Yasirn’s
contention that Bain al Khabir is nearer to the mainland
than to Bahrein; if propinquity is to he taken as a
criterion both islands seem to lie closer to Bahrein
territory (including therein the island of Umm Na’san)
than to the mainland. The Bahrein claim is moreover
strengthened by the prior assertion of ownership in the
setting up of marks, and there appears (paragraph 2 of
Powle’s letter) to be evidence of the exercise of
sovereignty by Bahrein in 1909. These facts would appear
to establish a prima facie presumption that Bahrein’s
claims to both these islands are superior to those of the
Saudis.
3. We should however be glad to have your views and those
of the Admiralty on Powle’s letter generally and in
particular on his suggestion that the solution of drawing a
line midway between Bahrein and the mainland might be
pursued. It would be useful, before anything further is
said to the Saudis, to know which of the alternatives
discussed in paragraph 6 of his letter would command most
support in international practice.
4. I am sending a copy of this letter and Powle’s letter
to Jarrett. Would you be good enough, after you have
examined the chart, to pass it on to him for examination
and/