File 619/1907 Pt 7 'Arms traffic: Persian Gulf. Debai incident.' [‎169r] (19/142)

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Telegram P., No. 33, dated (and received) the 12th January 1911,
From—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 Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
I am unaware whether your telegram* No. 23 S. was despatched before or
•serial No. 46. after perusal of my lettert No. 6 A, dated
^ tserial No. 44 . 2 nd January. The Shaikh of Debai
has duly carried out accepted conditions so far as he can at present; that is to
sa y» he has handed over rifles demanded and Rs. 50,000 and, in concert with
Senior Naval Officer, has both re-erected tide pole in a more convenient place
and selected site for telegraph installation and quarters in case Government
should decide to proceed with it. The prospect of acceptance of telegraph was
included in the ultimatum, as Shaikh’s refusal constituted a breach of treaty,
but reservations were attached both to this demand and to references to Post Office*
and British Agent which leave Government free to proceed with these measures
or not, as or when they please. I considered all three items as administrative
necessities just as much as political compensation. In spite of frequent visits
and friendly efforts and advice on my part, the position has remained precisely
as I described it on page 7 of printed administration report for 1906-07 ;
while the need for advance has been much emphasised in the meantime by
the entry of English, French and German merchants into trade of the coast,
and now by the latest development of the arms traffic. Reports received by
Admiral by wireless telegraph up to his departure on 10th January, show that
the position at Behai and on the coast generally gave no cause for anxiety,
and as there is no specific point needing immediate orders of Government
: Serial No. J7. future action can be deliberately consider
ed. My written reply to your telegram {
S—3 will reach you on 16th January. The recent occurrence was of course
unlucky, and we may have to face newspaper mispresentation, but I do not
expect any hostile development on the coast itself, and my present opinion is
that the administrative measures proposed are an urgent necessity, and that if
we intend to maintain a firm hold on the coast and justify our position as
protecting Power, we should carry them through in spite of any opposition
that may be offered. The backward conditions which recent incident indicates
seem to afford ample justification, and if we fail to undertake measures now we
shall later on have a great deal of difficulty in doing so.
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Telegram P., No. 35, dated (and received) the 12th January 1911.
From—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 Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To - The Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
Admiral telegraphs as follows, dated 12th January :— Begins. The situa
tion on the Trucial coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. is quiet. The Shaikh of Debai is friendly, but is
disturbed, because inhabitants are leaving Debai; by last mail 150 left for
Bandar Abbas and more are said to intend leaving next week. I do not
suppose this will mean more than a temporary abandonment of the town, as
people will probably all return next pearl season. Ends.
The inhabitants who are leaving for Bandar Abbas are doubtless members
of Persian community in whose hands mainly lies the heavy smuggling trade to
Persian coast in arms and highly taxed articles. Our supervision of outgoing
dhows has probably hit them, and when ships leave their return may be
expected.