File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎105r] (214/616)

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47 In 1886 the Shah of Persia had verbally requested Mr. Nicolson to convey
to the British Government the fact that, he considered the communication made
to him in 1869 as tantamount to an admission of his rights over Bahrain and that
he was anxious to establish authority over the Islands, either by sending a
Governor to Bahrain or by recognising the Shaikh as his representative, but that
he wished the Maritime police to remain in the hands of the British Naval Autho
rities An answer was prepared, but not delivered, as the Shah did not revert
to the subject. It was to the effect that His Majesty’s Government did not concur
in H M. the Shah’s interpretation of the communication of 1869, on the contrary
they considered Bahrain to be independent.
48. In 1888 an intrigue by certain Persian officials with the Shaikh of Qatar,
which place now had no connection with Bahrain, was supposed to contain danger to
the Islands and two warships were stationed at Bahrain with instructions to pre
vent by force if necessary, any hostile attempt to land by the Turks, Persian or
Arabs. #
49. In 1892 a document similar to that of 1880 was signed by the Shaikh of
Bahrain with an additional provision against the cession by the Shaikh of terri
tory to Foreign Governments. In this document the Shaikh undertook on no
account to enter into any agreement or correspondence with any power other than
the British Government, not to consent, except with the concurrence of the British
Government, to the residence within his territory of the Agent of any other Gov
ernment. And on no account to cede, sell, mortgage or otherwise give for occupation
any part of his territory save to the British Government.
50. The reign of Shaikh Isa was disturbed during a number of years by the
ambitious projects of the Porte and the formation of a Turkish province upon the
adjoining mainland of Hasa. Bahrain was however protected by the British
Government against the danger of annexation.
51. At times, further claims by the Turks were made, and in January 1893
the local Turkish Governor of Qatif proclaimed that Bahrain and Oman had re
verted to Ottoman jurisdiction and Turkish flags were forced on the owners of
Bahrain boats. In August of the same year, in a formal notification by the same
official, it was stated that the British Government had no connection with Bahrain
which was a part of the Turkish Empire and wouid in future be treated as sue .
This notice was posted up in the bazaars. On representation the notice w as
withdrawn, but the Turkish Government refused the right of the British authon-
ties to protect Bahrain subjects at Basrah or on Turkish soil.
52. In 1895 the British Government intervened forcibly to prevent an invasion
from Qatar and attacked the tribes at Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. on the mainland who were supporte
by Turkish officers. The Turkish Government protested, but the British Govern
ment replied that it did not recognise Turkish jurisdiction on the Coast of Qatar.
From this date forward though Turkish claims persisted, no actual feai of
annexation occurred.
53. In 1897 the Constantinople Board of Health proposed to establish a sani
tary post in Bahrain, but the proposal was abandoned on the statement b} t le
British delegate that Bahrain was under British protection.
In 1898 the Porte professing that they had heard that a British Vice-Consul
had been appointed to Bahrain requested If. M.’s Government to apply to them tor
an exequatur, a request which naturally was not considered.
54. In 1905 the Porte w T ere again informed that Bahrain was under British
protection. At this time our relations with Shaikh Isa were very strained and in
1906 rumours, not devoid of foundation, were current that the Shaikh desired
to place himself under the protection of Turkey.
55. In the meantime the Persian Government had continued to press their
claim to the Islands. In 1899 our Minister informed the Persian Government that
since 1880 the Shaikh of Bahrain had been precluded by treaty from holding direct-
relations with foreign powers, and that his subjects were under British protec
tion.
. 56. In 1905 the Persian Government refused to consider Bahrain subjects
residing in Persia as being under British protection. In hebiuary, 1 b, ie
MC531FD