File 3208/1908 Pt 4 ‘Persian Gulf: acts of piracy by Ahmed bin Selman near Katif [Turkish discourtesy to commander of HMS “Lapwing” at Katif]’ [‎110v] (216/358)

Please consult Captain Bowman fully and use your discretion in arranging
with him for taking advantage of the “ Sphinx’s ” presence in the way that is
most likely to have practical effect.
[Demi-official.]
No 1311, dated the 7th September 1905.
From— Captain A. P. TREVOR, I.A., First Assistant Resident in the Persian
Gulf,
To— Captain F. B. Prideaux, I.A., 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. , Bahrein.
The Resident desires me to suggest to you that when you visit Katif it may
be possible to recover that slave who was handed over to the Kaimakam by
Sheikh Esa. 7
No. 325, dated the aist September 1905.
From— Captain F. B Prideaux, I.A., 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. , Bahrein,
To— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Officiating 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. .
In compliance with the instructions contained in the 3rd paragraph of your
letter No. 1307, dated the 7th September 1905, I have the honour to report that
I proceeded to Katif in H. M. S. “ Sphinx ” and had a long interview with the
Kaimakam in company with Commander Bowman, R. N., on the 16th instant.
2. We did not go earlier to Katif as the new Kaimakam Mahomed Nejib
Bey had only passed through Bahrein on the 9th instant, when he transferred
himself direct from the mail steamer to a sailing boat in this harbour. I there
fore thought it necessary to write to him in advance giving notice of my intention
to visit him, so that he might make himself acquainted with the subjects that
were likely to be mooted between us. A copy of my letter No. 314, dated the
nth September 1905, is attached for your information.
3 The “Sphinx ” was anchored to the south of Tarut Island and about 74
miles from the Katif landing-place and the state of the tides necessitated our
making an early start for the shore and remaining there all day. Commander
Bowman and I therefore left the ship at about 6-15 A M., and reached the landing
stage at 7-30 A^M., being met there by the Kaimakam, the principal military
officers and a number of local notables who were introduced to us as members
of the Kaimakam’s Council. We were at once conducted to the house at the
shore-end of the pier where a guard of honour saluted us, and then we went
upstairs into the room where visitors are always located, followed by the officers
and Councillors to the number of about 12 or 15 persons.
4. We first informed the Kaimakam that we had come to consult with him as
to how the pirates might be hunted down, and on this subject Nejib Bey's
replies were not very satisfactory. He declared that he was doing his utmost
to suppress the institution himself, but admitted that at the present moment he
had no idea as to where the pirates were.
He objected, however, to our offer to co-operate with Turkish troops on the
coast of the mainland or in Turkish waters and I did not press the point much
knowing that to do so would be quite futile, and that my other business might
be adversely prejudiced in consequence. It seemed to me that the Kaimakam’s
language was chosen to some extent for the benefit of the gallery, and accord
ingly when the discussion of the pirates was concluded, I suggested that the rest
of our interview might be held in greater privacy as though none of our conversa
tion was too confidential for the Councillors’ ears, it was to be presumed that if
the Kaimakam desired their advice on any point, he would prefer to seek it out
of our presence. I further remarked that I considered my dignity entitled me
to make the claim. After demurring a little, the Kaimakam took his Council
outside, and a few minutes later he returned with one Councillor only besides his
interpreter whose presence was essential as Nejib Bey speaks no language except
Turkish. He then remarked that the room had been getting unbearably hot,
and l think that he was rather pleased to have his superiority over the Councillors
thus emphatically called attention to.