Coll 30/33 'Persian Gulf, Trucial Coast. Policy of H.M.G. List of Trucial Sheikhs' [‎337r] (673/818)

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protect their friendly Shaikhs by armed force against attack by land or sea. The
position of the 1 racial principalities, which have a hinterland of desert, should make
this a comparatively easy task, but it is an unfortunate fact that the closer the contact
with the British power the more defenceless do the rulers become and, consequently,
the more dependent on British support.
This, however, is for the future. For the present, in connection with the air
route, I anticipate no great trouble in obtaining store-houses for petrol, but
difficulties will increase when we demand wireless stations manned by a permanent
staff. The 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. Agent is sufficient to meet the initial demands of the Boyal
Air Force, but as these increase the need for a resident 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. will increase.
Me will have to be appointed eventually, but 1 recommend that an attempt be made
to prepare the way for the appointment.
17. To sum up: (l) The system of succession by murder, however inhuman,
does not of itself necessarily lend to undue insecurity, as it is purely a family concern.
We may deprecate it, but, except at the cost of interference in internal affairs, the
final result of which cannot be forecasted, we cannot prevent it. I myself made a
slight move during my last visit to the coast by addressing a letter to each Shaikh, in
which I stated that fratricide was abhorrent to God and man, and asked their
assistance in suppressing it by themselves refusing to acknowledge the succession of
a fratricide. The Shaikhs one and all agreed with me in the polite Arab fashion, but
1 do not anticipate any great result from this pronouncement.
(2) At present there is no undue interference on the coast. We have certain
duties to perform in connection with the slave trade and the protection of British
subjects, and it is only in connection with the performance of these duties that we
interfere.
(3) The projected air service down the coast has brought the time for the
establishment of 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. at Dubai considerably nearer ; but as a first step
the people should be familiarised with the prospect by frequent visits of a British
officer m the despatch boat which is absolutely necessary to carry out this scheme.
(4) The Shaikhs of the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. are well disposed, provided we confine our
selves to the sea, but are extremely jealous of European penetration, which they see
must ultimately lead to the extinction ol their independence. Every Shaikh, however
well disposed he may be personally, must consider the junta and must walk warily.
The coastal Shaikhs are by no means devoid of the avarice of the Semites, but thanks
to the pearl trade they are not in the same state of poverty as the Shaikhs of the Aden
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. area, and consequently their price is much higher.
(5) I do not recommend the immediate appointment of 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. to reside
on the coast unless His Majesty’s Government is lorced to adopt this course by the
urgent demands of the Arab air route.
(G) I can suggest no means of excluding W ahabi propaganda except self-interest.
An “infidel” 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. will never be able to withstand the agents of an
all-conquering Bin Sand ; but a population accustomed to the luxuries of life will not
wish to be subjected to Wahabi fanaticism.
If the population had acquired a taste for the advantages of civilisation and 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. interferes no mere than is absolutely necessary to protect British
interests, the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. should defy W ahabi propaganda just as out fleet and Aii
Force can repulse a military attack. If the inhabitants remain in then piesent
backward state, I see no remedy against propaganda except the v\ord of Bin Saud and
the plaving off of Ghufiri against llanawi. We can, if we wish, make ouiselves
extremely unpleasant to the Trucial Shaikhs and then' subjects, indeed, b\ cutting
off supplies ami the seizure of pearling dhows we can kill all these small principalities,
but by proceeding to extremes we certainly run a risk of antagonising woiId opinion,
which appears to be on the lookout for any stick which olfeis for beating the Butish
Empire.
1 have, Ac.,
0. C. J. Barrett, Lieut.-Col.,
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. ,
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[P.T.O.