'Memorandum respecting British interests in the Persian Gulf' [‎30v] (26/126)

34
They are at present leased to and farmed by
British-Indian Banias.
So far back as 1698, 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. in
1898.
the Persian Golf broached the subject with the Government of
^ , . i i i ii j India’s despatch of
Chief, who gave Colonel Meade to understand that ^pril 21, 1904 .
he would not renew the farmer s lease without first 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. ,
communicating with him. Despite this under- JjIie8 ’ 1Ju4 -
standing, the lease w r as subsequently extended
for a period of two years. Shortly afterwards
the Sheikh again promised not to enter into any
fresh contract without first informing the Resi
dent. But in January 1900 Colonel Meade 1900.
reported that the Sheikh had again departed
from his engagements, and had prolonged the
lease for a further term of tw r o years, without
previous intimation. A. remonstrance w r as made,
and the Chief expressed regret; but, neverthe
less, when in 1901, at the instance of Sir N. 1901.
O’Conor, it was again suggested that he should
employ a British subject to supervise the
Customs, he once more declined to accede to
the wishes of Ilis Majesty’s Government.
On the occasion of his tour in the Persian 1913.
Gulf in 1903, the Yiceroy spoke seriously about
the matter to the Chief, and pointed mt to him
the necessity of a. change in the existing
arrangements. The Sheikh asked for time for
reflection; but this only resulted in his reas
serting his unwillingness to redress the abuses
which had called forth complaints.
The conclusions formulated on the subject by 7 1904.
the Government of India are indicated in their
despatch of the 21st April, 1904 :—
“ Tho need for reform is clearly indicated by the
figures given in Colonel Kemball’s letter. The Chief’s
present income from his Customs is 1,16,200 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. ,
while the revenue which may be expected under an
efficient system is estimated at 3,50,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . The
practicability of the change is proved by the example
of Muscat, where, in partial compliance with our wishes,
the Sultan has taken the Customs administration under
direct management, and has already reaped considerable
benefit from the arrangement. The matter is obviously
one to which we cannot remain indifferent. Committed,
as w 7 e are, to the support of Sheikh Hamed, it is
incumbent on us to take Measures to insure that, on his
accession, he may find his house in order, and may not
be burdened with a heavy legacy of debt accumulated
by the improvidence of bis predecessor. For this reason
we consider that the question is not one which can be
allowed to drop, even if it were possible to overlook the
Sheikh’s repeated breaches of faith and his persistently
contumacious attitude with regard to it. In fact, the