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]’ [‎163r] (321/358)

saw Ahmed-bj^SelmaiV ^ 6 P irate > with a timber of companions, at Safvva.on
Prom Major P. Z. Cox, C I.E., OfE 2 iatin» 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 Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
In continuation of the correspondence ending with Foreign Department
telegram No. 2670-E.A., dated 17th August 1904, I have the honour to
forward a copy of letter No. 195 of 20tU instant from the Assistant Political
Agent, Bahrein.
A copy has also been forwarded to His Britannic Majesty’s Consul,
Bussorah, whose views have been asked as to whether H. M. S. Merlin, now
at Bussorah, can be spared to go in search of the pirate.
The course followed by Sheikh Jassim-hin-Thani is of some interest.
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. , Bahrein,
q« 0 Major P .Z. Cox, C.I.E., Officiating Political Uesident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
In continuation of my letter No. 184, dated 7th August 1904, I have the
honour to report that the Chief of Bahrein this morning sent for my perusal
a letter, dated 9th instant, from Sheikh Jassim-bin-Thani, introducing to him
the victims of the piracy mentioned in paragraph 340 of this office diary,
dated 13th instant, and requesting him to move in the matter with the view
to prevail upon the Turks to restore the stolen property and punish the
perpetrators of the crime.
The Chief states that since the British Government prohibit the Arab
Chiefs sending out armed boats to patrol the sea against pirates, the Chiefs
conform to the policy and rely upon the British Government to employ
their "ood offices when occasion arises, and for this reason Sheikh Jassim j
invokes our assistance rather than apply direct to the Turks. I think that this f
instance goes to show that it is Sheikh JassinFs desire to cut himself adrift f
from the Turks, and not knowing how we should take a direct application ^
for help he makes it through Sheikh Isa.
Saeed and Ali, sons of Mohamed-el-Mehanedi, the victims, state that they
left Khor Shagig'on the 7th instant, taking with them cash to the amount of
Us 2 467-8-0 in ^ Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , Dollars and Turkish Liras and Rs. 780 worth of
nearls to meet some debts in Bahrein and make purchases ; that when on
Fasht-el-Debil off Ras Rakan they dropped anchor awaiting a favourable wind
to take them to Bahrein and while they were asleep at noon that day, the
ffirate Ahmed-bin-Selman, with fourteen companions boarded them and towed
them to Howar Island, where the pirates relieved them of everything they
possessed and allowed them to go and that they proceeded to Lusail ana
renorted the matter to Sheikh Jassim. They declare that what was taken
from them was all they possessed in the world and that they are indebted to
British and Bahrein subjects.
I have sent copies of these men’s statements to the Acting Muttessarif of
Ai TTassa and the Kaimmakam of Katif, giving the indebtedness of the men
to British and Bahrein subjects as my reason, and expressed a hope that
measures will be taken for the apprehension of the culprits.
No. 196, dated the 20th August 1904-.