File 160/1903 'Persian Gulf: El Katr; appointment of Turkish Mudirs; question of Protectorate Treaty with El Katr' [‎192r] (388/860)

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No. 181, dated Bushire, the 2nd October 1?
From-LIE^EN^T-COLONEL C. A. Kemball, C.I.E., 0%. 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 the
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
of the troubles near Maskat requiring the presence of H. & M. S. “Sphinx” in
that neighbourhood, I decided to send the R. I. M. S. “Lawrence” to Wakra,
and X directed ALi. Gaskin, Assistant 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, to proceed by
her, as I was anxious to obtain a reliable account of the state of affairs.
Mr. Gaskin’s report,* a copy of which I have the honour to submit here-
Turkish action with regard to Katr will always require careful watching.
From—J. C. Gaskin, Esq., Assistant 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,
To— Captain V. DEV r . Hunt, First Assistant to 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 the Persian
the 8th instant, I proceeded by the R. I. M. S. “ Lawrence ” on the morning of
the 16th instant, and on the following morning landed at Lusail to interview
Sheikh Jassim and obtain his views on the situation in Wakra.
retired from taking part in the government of the Katr Peninsula and the
responsibility for its future welfare to his brother, Sheikh Ahmed; that since
the Zobara incident he decided to sever his connection with the Turks and in
formed them rccordingly; that he at first proposed to abdicate in favour of
his son, Muhammad; but upon learning that the Katr Chiefs preferred his
brother, and after obtaining their signature to a document to that effect, he
informed the Porte, the Wali of Basrah, and the Mutassarif of Al Hassa of his
abdication in favour of his brother, and requested them to refer all matters to
the latter in future, and Sheikh Ahmed has been virtually the Sheikh of Katr,
and accepted as such by the people as well as the Turks since 1898. As
regards his son, Abdul Rahman, he stated that he was made Sheikh of Wakra
5 years ago by Sheikh Ahmed; and though he heard of the recent action of the
Mutassarif of Al Hassa, he paid no attention to it and left Ahmed to deal with
the matter. I concluded from his manner that he disapproved of the Turks
appointing his son Mudir of Wakra. Before leaving I requested him to send
a messenger overland to Al Bidda with a letter, directing Sheikh Ahmed to
meet me at Wakra.
Sheikh Jassim has settled in Lusail with his own household and two or
three families of his own followers only.
The “ Lawrence ” arrived off Wakra on Friday night, and the following
morning X landed and was met on the beach by Sheikh Ahmed. I asked for
his nephew, Sheikh Abdul Rahman, and was informed that he had left Wakra
on the previous day on a visit to his father at Lusail. Sheikh Ahmed corro-
Woforl Bic BrnHiP.v’s statements to me as regards his abdication and the posting
* No. 210, dated 20th September 1903.
with, does not at present require any
comment by me, though it is evident that
No. 210, dated Bahrein, the 20th September 1903.
Gulf.
I have the honour to report that, in accordance with your instructions of
I found Sheikh Jassim suffering severely from bad eyes and very feeble.
He informed me that his opinion may be judged from the fact of his having