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File 757/1909 'Persian Gulf:- Turkey and Turkish aggression (Occupation of Zakhnuniyeh Island. Attitude in piracy cases. Mudirs at Zubara, Odaid and Wakra) British Relations with Turkey in Persian Gulf' [‎101r] (206/495)

The record is made up of 1 volume (245 folios). It was created in 1909-1911. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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r rom Vice)
1st December 1910.
foreign Secret. K] Katr. \\ e have consulted Cox on question raised in
your telegram of 6th October, lie replies as follows :
“At the present juncture I find it difficult to discuss question apart from
general Anglo-Turkish situation in the Gulf.
“In a letter just received, Consul at Basrah writes that new Vali, when
asked what action he had taken regarding Zakhnumyeh, replied that the
island is Turkish territory, and challenged right of Consul to discuss it
officially or privately. He added that he was astonished that Consul did not
mind his own business which was trade. It is thus evident that communi
cations made to Porte regarding recent incidents have had no effect, and it
seems to me that position has become impossible and humdiating, and that
unless atmosphere is quickly cleared frequent recurrence of unpleasant
incidents ip inevitable, ft appears to be generally agreed that temporising
policy, which we have pursued for years past, will not serve the purpose with
the young lurk regime, and I submit that their assertive attitude and recent
attempts to upset stains quo gives us strong and imperative grounds for
settling issues now.
“ I-rom a local standpoint what is needed to clear the air is—
1st. lhat we should cease to make a secret of our agreement with
Ivoweit, and should inform Porte that we intend to make it effective.
II we can simultaneously eliminate anomaly of Turkish flag at Koweit,
I strongly recommend it.
“2nd. That we should bring about withdrawal of Turkish military
posts from Albida, Bubiyan, [Jmmkasr, Zakhnuniyeh, and Jinnah,
and finally abolish Mudirates at Wakra,&c., and induce Turks to
confine themselves to their recognised possessions at Katif and
Ojair.
• >rd. 1 hat having achieved second item, we should make treaties on
lines ol trucial coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. agreement with Bin Thani, and, if necessary,
with other headmen on the west coast of Katar.
“ Whether achievement of above ends is possible by means of compre
hensive reciprocal compromise or whether coercive measures null be necessary
is a question beyond my purview, but I beg to say that I can conceive no
quid pro quo which we could offer Porte in this sphere in exchange for
withdrawal of her pretensions. It could, perhaps, be found in some other
sphere.
“ Should coercive measures be necessary, we can never expect the recur
rence of such a favourable juncture locally as exists at present. The
numerical strength of military posts in question has just been reduced to
minimum under Nazim Pasha’s scheme for concentrating troops at Bagdad;
while we have strong squadron in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. in connection with arms
traffic which would make naval demonstration simple matter.
“Achievement of above measures would completely consolidate our
position on Arab coast and in Gulf generally, especially in regard to pearl
fishery question, and, if it is ever to be brought about, it seems essential
that action should be taken now. If it is delayed, the suggested association
of Turkey with Triple Alliance and increase of her navy may render task
very difficult, if not impossible. In any case, therefore, by one. method or
another, I respectfully urge necessity of adjusting position with Turkey
forthwith and eliminating chronic elements of friction which have now
become dangerous. On grounds above explained, I consider that it would
be useless now to make treaty with Bin Thani, unless we are prepared to
do so openly and to bring about elimination of 'Turkish influence from Katr,
as suggested in second item above. Without such simultaneous action,
existence of treaty would only be a source of danger to the Thani family
from the present Turkish regime, and that they would themselves fmht shv
of it.”
We concur with Cox that no advantage would accrue from treaties with
Katr Chiefs, and further that Chiefs would probably not now agree to enter
into treaties, unless the Turks can be induced to confine themselves to their
recognised possessions at Katif and Ojair.

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to the Turkish occupation of Zakhnuniyah Island, the Ottoman attitude towards piracy cases, and the appointment of officials in Zubara, Odeid and Wakra.

The discussion in the volume relates to the Turkish occupation of a disused fort (built by Shaikh Ali bin Khalifah, Ruler of Bahrain) on Zakhnuniyah Island and the placing of Ottoman officials in Zubara, Odeid and Wakra. Correspondence reflects British concerns over Turkish claims to sovereignty in the coastal area of the Qatar Peninsula and how these could best be resisted, particularly in the strategic context of the construction of the Berlin to Baghdad railway. In discussing Zakhnuniyah, reference is made to typed extract of the relevant page (1937) of Lorimer's Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Gazetteer (Geographical and Statistical Volume) which describes how the Dawasir tribe halted there, during the course of their emigration from Najd (see folio 236).

Further discussion surrounds Turkish obstruction of the investigation of cases of piracy in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the proposed visit of H M S Redbreast to Al Bidaa.

Included in the volume are copies of the Committee for Imperial Defence papers 'Turkish Agression in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. " and 'Local Action in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ' (ff 12-15).

The principal correspondents in the volume include the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey); the Viceroy of India; the ruler of Bahrain; the 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. , Kuwait (Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear); the British Ambassador to Constantinople; His Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul for Arabistan (Lieutenant Arnold Talbot Wilson); 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. (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox); the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.

Extent and format
1 volume (245 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 757 ( Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Turkish Aggression) consists of 1 volume IOR/L/PS/10/162.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 241; these numbers are written in pencil and are located at the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the two leading and ending flyleaves.

A flap is pasted to the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. of folio 188.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 757/1909 'Persian Gulf:- Turkey and Turkish aggression (Occupation of Zakhnuniyeh Island. Attitude in piracy cases. Mudirs at Zubara, Odaid and Wakra) British Relations with Turkey in Persian Gulf' [‎101r] (206/495), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/162, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030529667.0x000007> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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