Coll 30/33 'Persian Gulf, Trucial Coast. Policy of H.M.G. List of Trucial Sheikhs' [‎336v] (672/818)

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bones. Two years ago the entry of modern invention was prohibited, but now tho
Shaikh of Has al Khaimah is inquiring about a Ford car, and has been for a flight in
a flying boat; the Shaikh of Dubai lias purchased a motor launch for himself ; the
richest and most influential merchant of Abu Dhabi lias also purchased a launch;
and inquiries are being made whether Khalil Kanoo, of Bahrain, can bring his
water-boring apparatus to the coast. These are small matters, but the progressiy^^^L
Bahrain is having some effect on this benighted coast. 1 think it should be possible
to take advantage of any advance that may be made, but the first desideratum is to
restore that personal touch which vanished after 1910.
IF Before the unfortunate Hyacinth incident of 1910 the personal influence of
Sir Percy Cox had gone far to break down the barriers of reserve and suspicion ; but
the whole position gained was lost by that unfortunate episode, and it has never been
recovered. No successor has occupied the posit ion of Sir Percy Cox, and during a recent
flying boat visit to Abu Dhabi, Captain Prior was surprised to find that not even the
name of a single successor ol “ Kokus ” is known in that town. This is due to lack of
touch and this lack of touch was due first to the preoccupation of the war and
| subsequently to the withdrawal ol the Pesident’s despatch vessel. To maintain touch
with his large maritime command the Pesident must have a despatch vessel, at the
disposal solely of himself and his Political Agents. It is impossible for him to share
this vessel with any other department, as was shown when an attempt w as made to
make the same ship serve the double purpose of despatch vessel and tender to the
lighthouses.
Having obtained the despatch vessel, supervision over the work of the Besidency
Agent on the Irucial Coast should be entrusted to 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. at Bahrain,
who should be relieved of routine work by his Indian Assistant. The Political
Agents w r ork may be supplemented, if necessary, by the Secretary to the Resident.
I he 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. must visit each Trucial Shaikh at least every quarter and be
prepared, if necessary, to make a long halt off each town. At present the Pesident
pays one, or at most two, visits of one day s duration each year. This is insufficient
to inquire thoroughly into all problems, and the Pesidency x\gent’s recommendations
are perforce accepted. Inquiries regarding the various monetary claims of British
subjects and into the diving debts of so-called debtors, wdio are usually slaves w T ho
have absconded to Bahrain, will give 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. plenty of excuse for his
presence.
In addition, 1 am hearing most disquieting reports about the prevalence of the
slave trade on this coast, and I anticipate that searching inquiries may have to be
made.
At fust, the 1 olitical Agent must return to his ship each night; but in the course
of time, as he becomes better known and confidence is established, I hope he will be
invited to stay ashore for ever lengthening periods.
lo. My policy is gradually to restore, and improve on, the position which existed
before the Hyacinth episode, when, as Sir Percy Cox reported, “ No definite objection
was evei evinced to the occasional sojourn of approved Fufoptans.” Having regained
this position we can more easily, should we so desire, locate a British 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.
ashore without fear of trouble.
this policy is to be adopted il the Irucial Shaikhs do not compel us to take
sterner measures to force through our air route. At present, the Shaikh of Pas al
Khaimah is showing himself obstinate in his refusal of all requests for a refuelling
station at his headquarters. Ihe Shaikh ol Ifainariyah, a dependency of Shargah,
however, has offered to rent a store-room for the use cf the Boyal Air Force if his
lagoon should prove useful to them as a flying boat harbour, the example of this
Shaikh, Abdul hahiman bin Sail, will prove of use in breaking down the opposition
of otheis on the coast, and the question of obtaining store-rooms will become one of
pounds, shillings and pence.
The Boyal Air Force will not be content with store-houses, however. Thov desire
to have aerodromes, wireless stations, and rest-houses.
The erection of a wireless station formed part of the ultimatum to the Shaikh of
Dubai in 1911, which was subsequently allowed to lapse. The Royal Air Force wdsh
to settle on this coast, and this means closer contact with the coast Arabs. I have in
para. 11 stated the final result of close contact between a strong civilised Power and
a weak barbarian State.
10. J he Government of India do not desire increased commitments, but they are
bound to come. His Majesty’s Government must be prepared, in course of time, to
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