File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎137r] (279/531)

[Confidential,]
S
No. 272, dated Bushire, the 17th (received 27th) June 1905.
From— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., 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—S. M. Fraser, Esq., C.I.E., Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign
Department.
With reference to your telegram, dated 14 th instant, I have the honour to
forward herewith a copy of Captain Prideaux’s letter No. 175 , dated 27 th May
1905 , which should have accompanied my letter No. 249 , dated 4 th instant.
No. 175, dated Bahrein, the 27th May 1905.
From— Captain F. B. Prideaux, 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. ,
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 Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
In continuation of my letter No. 162 , dated the 19 th May 1905 , on the
subject of the rumours that the Chief of Bahrein is attempting to place himself
under the protection of another Power, I have the honour to report that as the
result of my enquiries I am unable to believe that Sheikh Esa has personally yet
involved himself in written correspondence with either the Turks or the French.
2 . I do not think it likely that Sheikh AH bin Mahomed would be selected
by the Chief as his mouth-piece in making overtures to the Turks nor that he
would consent to act as such if he were.
3 . I have learnt that M. Perronne has only once been to Muharraq, but on
that occasion he stayed there the whole day, and besides calling on the Chief he
visited most of the notabilities of the place.
4 . It is probable that Mahomed bin Abdul Wahab Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. is at the bottom of
the rumour under investigation. He is in the habit of corresponding occasionally
with all the foreign Consuls in Bushire and poses as the sincere well-wisher of
each. He also is unofficially recognized by the people of Bahrein as the mouth
piece of the Turks, whose subject he is. The two^ or three persons, whom I
have confidentially consulted, are unanimous in thinking that Mahomed bin
Abdul Wahab has been sounding both the Turkish and French Consuls ^ at
Bombay on behalf of Sheikh Esa, and that the statement made by the Turkish
Ambassador in London to His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
can only be founded on some communication made by Mahomed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. either
verbally in Bombay or by letter to some other Turkish official. I couple my
mention of the French with that of the Turks, because locally there is no rumour
of the latter having been approached, while the belief is fairly popular that some
intrigue is in existence between the Chief and M. Perronne. It seems possible
that the latter may have communicated to the French Consul in Bombay some
enquiry of the Chief’s as to the likelihood of his being assisted by the French
Government.
5 . As regards Mahomed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , it is well known that he was the instrument
which brought Sheikh Jassim bin Thani into the meshes of the Turkish Empire,
and that he has often urged Sheikh Esa to follow the same course. From Sheikh
Esa’s letter, a translation of which I am submitting to you to-day under cover of a
separate report No. 174 , it is also, I think, evident that the Chief has already
considered the possibility of this move. It is natural, too, that the course of
recent events in Koweit and Nejd should influence the mind of the Ruler of
Bahrein to some extent.
6 . Taking the above points into consideration I do not think that the reason
given in the last paragraph of your telegram of the 17 th May 1905 to the Secre
tary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, for not confronting
Sheikh Esa with the report has much force, if I may be permitted to say so, but
at the same time I am quite of opinion that until the Turkish Ambassador presents
proofs to show that the Chief has acted in a manner which we should regard as
tantamount to rebellion against the Government of India, it is supererogatory for
us to accuse him of such an act.
G. C. Press, Simla.—No. €334 F. D.—*4-7-05.--S/.