Coll 30/25 'Persian Gulf: Treaties and Agreements between H.M.G. and Arab Chiefs and Rulers; Supply of Copies to Ibn Saud and the Italian Govt.' [‎106v] (212/420)

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(/) Pearl fishing and Oil.—The Sheikh undertook in 1911 not to grant a
pearl fishing concession to foreigners save with the prior approval of His
Majesty’s Government. He gave a similar undertaking as regards oil
in 1913. ' •'
(g) Letter dated 3rd November 1914 from 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. to the
Sheikh, in which the Sheikh was given, in return for his co-operation
against the Turks, certain assurances of which the third was that “ Koweit
shall be recognised as an independent principality under British protection.”
(/i) The undertakings given to Sheikh Mubarak were renewed in 1917
to his son Jabir, and again, on his accession, to the latter’s successor, his
brother Salim. To Salim, who proved troublesome, Government in 1918
gave a warning that the assurances conveyed to him on his accession were
conditional on his good behaviour. (See Memorandum on Koweit on page
para. 20.)
(i) In a Kharita An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. delivered on 19th July 1921 the Viceroy renewed to the
present Sheikh, Ahmad al Jabir, nephew of Salim, the assurances given to
the latter.
Aitchison, Vol. XII,
p. 172.
Do., p. 178.
Do., p. 158.
Do., p. 159.
Do., p. U»2.
Do., p. 188.
BAHREIN.
(a) In 1820 the Ruler of Bahrein subscribed to the general treaty with
the Arab Chiefs of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , which prescribed abstention from
plunder and piracy by land and sea, from slave traffic, and from inter-tribal
war, and peace with the British Government. (The adherence of Bahrein
to this treaty gave the British Government a formal right to intervene, as it
did in 1863, between Bahrein, Abu Dhabi and Katr, and again in 1867-9.)
(b) In 1817 the Sheikh of Bahrein subscribed to an engagement for the
abolition of slave trade in his ports and for the submission of Bahreini
vessels to search by British cruisers for slaves, and to seizure if guilty, and
in 1856 signed a further engagement for the better suppression of the slave
trade.
(c) On the 31st May 1861 Sheikh Mahomed bin Khalifa signed on behalf
of himself and his heirs and successors a “perpetual treaty of peace and
friendship with the British Government.”
In Article 2 he agreed to abstain from maritime aggression, rear, piracy
and slavery by sea “ so long as I receive the support of the British Govern
ment in the maintenance of the security of my own possessions against
similar aggressions directed against them by the Chiefs and tribes of this
Gulf.”
In Article 3 he undertook to refer to the arbitration of the Political
Resident cases of aggression by sea on Bahrein or Bahreinis and to refrain
from retaliation without the Political Resident’s assent. “ And the British
Resident engages that he will forthwith take the necessary steps for
obtaining reparation for every injury ... by sea upon Bahrein or . . .
its dependencies.”
(d) On 22nd December 1880 Sheikh Isa signed an agreement binding
himself and his successors not to enter into negotiations with any State or
Government other than the British without the consent of the British
Government, and to prevent the establishment of diplomatic or consular
agencies or coaling depots, other than British, without the consent of the
British Government.
“This engagement does not apply to or affect the customary friendly
correspondence with the local authorities of neighbouring States on business
of minor importance.”
(c) On the 13th March 1892 Sheikh Isa signed a further agreement the
first two articles of which reaffirmed his undertaking to abstain from
relations with foreign Governments; in the third article he undertook
“ on no account to cede, sell, mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation
any part of my territory save to the British Government.”
(/) In 1898 the Sheikh of Bahrein signed an agreement to prohibit the
traffic in arms in Bahrein territory.
P. 711/98.