File 619/1907 Pt 6 'Arms traffic:- Persian Gulf - Searching of vessels in territorial waters of Trucial Chiefs. Position of Katr [Qatar].' [‎263r] (65/124)

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Telegram P., No. 68, dated the 13th July 1911.
From—His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, Diyalatawa,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department.
Two large Tangistan booms carrying ammunition and arms were captured
on the high sea on the 11th July 1911 by H. M. S. “ Fox.” The booms,
which had no papers and were flying no colours, were bound respectively to
Dilwar and Baraki from Sohar. They are being taken to Jask. When details
are available 1 shall telegraph them to you.
738 \
Telegram P., No. 658, dated the 14th (received 15th) July 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. , Bushire,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Following has been repeated to Admiral and Senior Naval Officer:—
Begins. Two large dhows belonging to Tangistan en route from Maskat to
Tangistan ports were captured on the high seas near Has Musandam on 11th
July by His Majesty’s Ship “Fox”. Each vessel had about 200 rifles and
large quantity of ammunition carefully concealed and carried no flag or
papers. They have been taken to Jask by Senior Naval Officer who asks for
instructions and suggests the despatch of crews to Bushire and the destruction
of the dhows and arms and ammunition. 1 support proposal as regards arms
and ammunition and dhows, but I strongly deprecate sending of crews to
Bushire under our auspices. Such a course would inevitably result in useless
correspondence with Persian authorities and probable demands for delivery of
arms. I recommend that crews be set at liberty at Jask or Maskat and allowed
to go where they like. If Persian authorities should then make any enquiries,
we /could reply that two dhows w ithout flags or papers and with arms and
ammunition concealed on board were recently captured and both dhows and
the arms have been destroyed. Buds.
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Telegram P., No. 662, dated (and received) the 16th July 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. , Bushire,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Please refer to your telegram* No. 413 S. of 11th July. The head of the
Thani family is Sheikh Jasim, w ho must
• Serial No. 31. be nearly 90 years of age: he is practi
cally a recluse. Abdulla, his eldest surviving son, rules at Doha and Abdur
Bahman the younger son at Wakra.
It is difficult to speak positively but, as at present advised, I think it
probable that any arrangement wffiich we might come to with Abdulla would
be endorsed by his father and accepted by his younger brother.
I think it possible that w r e might secure the agreement for a substantial
cash present to Abdulla, without any subsidy, but I think subsidy would be
useful as a means of preserving touch and influence. I should suggest
Its. 1,000 per annum for Abdulla, and Rs. 500 for Abdur Rahman, and
possibly Rs. 1,000 for Sheikh Jasim.
In event of my being authorised to attempt to obtain agreement and in
case a bribe became necessary (to) render Abdulla amenable, it would be
convenient if Government would consider the figure which they w ould think
it worth while to give, perhaps Rs. 5,000 would suffice.