'File No. II/12 Foreign Dept Memoranda of Information re: affairs in Persia and Arabian shore of the Persian Gulf. Jan '09 --' [‎80r] (159/178)

7f.
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proposals as they stood, and, as it might
prove inconvenient hereafter to have given
too definite pledges to the Sheikh, it was
decided that he should merely he informed
that the British Government had taken note
of his assurances both as regards the minor
schemes and also in regard to the scheme for
the construction of the Ahwaz dam, and that,
when a suitable opportunity presented itself,
they would give him their approval and support
in applying for a concession for the construc
tion of the dam.
With reference to the Kerkha irrigation
project, 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 was authorised to send Lieutenant Wilson’s
report to Sir William Willcocks, who replied
that the project seemed very easy and
likely to prove remunerative. Sir William
also gave instructions for certain preliminary
work to be carried out by Lieutenant Wilson,
and said that when this was completed he
would visit the locality in October or Novem
ber and then give his final opinion.
11. On the 18th March, the Government
Increase in the salutes rec ® mI11 > eri ded
accorded, to the Sheikhs to His Majesty’s
merahand B a h“ta am ' f^retary of State for
India a proposal made
by 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.
to increase the salutes of five guns accorded
to the Sheikhs of Mohammerah, Koweit and
Bahrein. The Government of India expressed
the opinion that, in consideration of the
enhanced importance and prestige which these
three Chiefs, especially the Sheikhs of Moham
merah and Koweit, enjoyed owing to recent
political developments in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , a
salute of five guns was no longer adequate.
They agreed with Major Cox that a salute of
12 guns might appropriately be accorded to
the Sheikhs of Koweit and Mohammerah and
one of 11 guns to the Sheikh of Bahrein. If
these proposals were accepted, they recom
mended, as suggested by Major Cox, that the
eldest sons of the Sheikhs of Mohammerah and
Koweit should receive a salute of five guns,
and the eldest son of the Sheikh of Bahrein
one of three guns, on the occasions when they
visit one of His Majesty’s Ships as their
fathers’ representatives. The Government of
India were also of opinion that the increased
salutes should, in each case, be personal to the
present Chiefs, and that it should be explained
to them that it was within the discretion of the
Government of India to continue it, or not, to
their successors. They further suggested that,
should these proposals be sanctioned, it should
be left to the discretion of the Political Resi
dent, in consultation, if necessary, with His
Britannic Majesty’s Minister at Tehran, to
decide when it would be opportune to make
the announcement to the Sheikhs concerned.