'Report and Proceedings of a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence on the Baghdad Railway, Southern Persia, and the Persian Gulf' [‎7v] (19/332)

X
Re pout.
necessity of any further discussion of the question with them. But neither Turkey
nor Persia has formally abandoned its claims, and the Persian Government have not
recognized, though we have consistently asserted, our right to protect Bahreinis in
Persian territory. In the present political conditions of Turkey and Persia it is clear
that we should scrupulously avoid any action that could be represented as an attempt
to utilize their difficulties for selfish purposes. There is also the risk that the formal
declaration of a Protectorate might be regarded as a challenge by other Powers than
Persia and Turkey, who might raise the question of our rights in a provocative form.
(c.) Customs Administration.
It would accelerate the commercial development of Bahrein, and strengthen
our political position there, if the Sheikh could be induced to place the administration
of his customs under British control. But he has hitherto refused the proposals made
him to this end, and it may prove that he may continue to refuse his consent, which
would involve the surrender of a great measure of his independence, however
advantageous our offer may be financially. Our terms, to be successful, will probably
have to include something more than a guarantee of a minimum revenue based on
present receipts. The Committee consider it important that no suitable opportunity of
again approaching the Sheikh on the subject should be lost.
(d.) Bank.
Should the Indian Government be successful in their endeavours to give effect to
the above proposals, the Committee are of opinion that it would be very desirable if
some British-Indian bank of good standing would open a branch at Bahrein, with the
object of forestalling the establishment of a foreign bank there.
(e.) Harbour Accommodation.
The landing facilities at Bahrein are at present primitive. With a view to their
improvement, the Committee recommend that the Admiralty should be requested to
arrange with the Indian Marine to carry out a survey of the harbour and to put forward
detailed proposals for works to be carried out, with any suggestions which may occur
to them as to how their cost may be met.
(f.) Bearl Fisheries.
The question whether action could be taken to prevent interference by foreigners
with the pearl fisheries, of which Bahrein is the centre, was referred in 1905, on the
initiative of the Government of India, to the Law Officers of the Crown, whose report,
together with the indirect methods suggested by the Government of India for protecting
the fisheries, is reproduced in Appendix 2, pages 168 to 173.
The Committee do not see their way to make any precise recommendation on this
very delicate question. The action to be taken, should occasion arise, must be decided
with reference to the circumstances in which the fisheries are threatened bv “ inter
lopers.”
10 . Koweit.
As regards Koweit, a Secret Agreement was concluded with the Sheikh in
October 1907, by which he granted us a perpetual lease of that portion of his foreshore
near the town of Koweit which was considered likely to be required as the terminus of
the Baghdad Railway when it reached the Gulf, as well as a right of pre-emption in
regard to certain other territory on the coast-line, including the Island of Warba and
its “ surrounding foreshore.” Inquiries are being made into the nature of the Sheikh’s
claims to sovereignty oyer Warba and the adjacent coast. The rent paid for the lease
is 4,00<T. per annum, divided equally between the British and Indian Exchequers.
As regards Bubiyan Island, there seems little doubt as to the validity of the
Sheikh’s territorial rights ; but it was recently decided that no action should be taken
for the present with a view to asserting his claims or to procuring the withdrawal by
the Turks of the post established by them on the island in 1902.