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' [‎213v] (431/495)

IVo. 3035, dated Bushire, the 28th November (received on the
7th December)"l^oii._\E-^
From Major A. P. Trevor, I.A., First Assistant Resident, in charge of Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. *
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , b ^
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
•f. I h ave the honour to invite a reference to the correspondence ending with m7
te egram No. 1077, dated the 24th instant, on the subject of the occupation of Zakh"
numya Island by the Turks.
2. In this connection I beg to forward for the information of the Government
•No. 745, dated the 20th November 1909. India a copy of a letter* from the Poli
tical Agent, Bahrain, on the subject. It
would appear that the assurances given by the Turkish Government regarding the
evacuation of the Island are correct, and that there are no Turkish soldiers now
there.
3. It will be seen that the Shaikh of Bahrain suggests that his flag should be
flown at Zakhnuniya in the cold weather when the Dawasir tribe are there, but
that no flag should be flown during the summer months when the Island is unin
habited. On the other hand Captain Mackenzie thinks that, as no flag has been
flown on the Island since the days of the Shaikh’s father, it will be rather a dis
turbance of the sfatos quo to fly a flag, and that the action will increase the sus
picion with which our actions on the Arab Coast are viewed by the Turks.
4. It seems to me that if a flag is to be hoisted at all it should be flown at
intervals all the year round, and not only for a few months in the year.
5. I therefore propose, should the Government of India see no objection, to
request the Shaikh to hoist his flag and maintain a Dawasir custodian who will
remain on the Island during the hot weather.
No. 745, dated the 20th November 1909.
From— Captain C. F. Mackenzie, 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. , Bahrain,
To—M ajor A. P. Trevor, I. A., First Assistant Resident, in charge of Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. ,
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
With reference to this office diary entry No. 122, dated the 30th April 1909,
I have the honour to inform you that some days after Major Prideaux left Zakh
nuniya, four Turkish soldiers were sent to reside in the fort there and guard it.
They stayed a few days and built a small house, and repaired the platform of the
flagstaff, and then returned to Ojair, taking the flagstaff with them. About
three weeks ago some fifteen men of the Dawasir tribe went to Zakhnuniya and
it is reported that the Island is clear of soldiers. As the Island is uninhabited
during the summer months, it is difficult to obtain reliable information as to
whether the Turks visited the island from time to time, but it is reported by the
Dawasir that there were a few soldiers tb ere when they first arrived but that they
left shortly after. They also stated that they have been told by the soldiers of the
Ojair garrison that it is the intention of the Turkish officials to send over men
shortly to repair the fort which is now a ruin. It seems probable that these
actions are due to the changes of Mutasarrifs of Hasa, and of Walis of Busrah.
I have warned the head of the tribe not to permit any imbroglio with the
Turks.
2. I mentioned to Shaikh Esa the question of flying bis flag in the island. He
said that he would like it flown while the Dawasir remained there during the win
ter, but that it should be withdrawn in summer on their return.
3. My personal opinion on the flag question is that if we are going to adhere to
the status quo ante, the flag should not be flown as Sheikh Esa told me he did not
think that the flag had been flown since the time of his father. Provided the Turks
are not allowed to go there, and the Dawasir continue to go every winter the pre
scriptive right to the island is strengthened without the question of the flag being
raised. Again if any insult to the flag takes place it may force our hand into severe
measures than it may be politic to take. The hoisting of the flag there would
moreover tend to increase the suspicion and distrust with which our actions in
these parts are viewed by the Turks.