Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎49r] (97/678)

V
AFFAIBS IN THE EL KATE PENINSULA.
South of Ojair and on the El Katr Peninsula we have always declined to
Jurisdiction of the El Katr coast. recognise Turkish sovereignty, though
tne lurks actually have a garrison at
El Bidaa. In 1894, the Government of India authorised the Besident in
Pro. No. 564! in Secret e., May 1894, Nos. 558 - the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to inform the Senior
569- Naval Officer, Aden Division, that His
Majesty’s ships were not to recognise Turkish rule at El Bidaa, and that British
Naval Commanders had long been empowered to act at El Bidaa, as at other
places on the El Katr coast, in such manner as might he necessary to prevent,
or punish, disturbances of the maritime peace. It was explained, however, that
the Governor-General in Council was desirous that British Naval officers
should avoid giving Turkish officials any opportunity of asserting by overt
action such nominal authority as the Porte possesses in the locality, and con
sidered that, to this end, His Majesty’s ships should refrain from visitin°- the
harbour of El Bidda, except when special occasion arose for so doing. °The
instructions were approved by Her late Majesty’s Government. From, and
•Pro. No. in Secret, September 1879, Nos. |? C ^ U ^ Ve °^’ Southward the COast
25-47. line belongs* .to the Trucial Chiefs as far
as Bas-el-Kheima.
The principal Chief of El Katr is one Jasim-bin-Thani. He is now over
Jasim-bin-Thani. ^9 ^ nge, has settled at Lasail
Pro. No. 15 in Secret E., January 1894, Nos. 14- With his OWU household and two OP three
43 - families of his own followers only; and
for some time past has delegated his authority to his brother, Ahmed-bin-
Thani, who is de facto Chief.
f Notes in Secret E., February 1900, 7sos. 68-76.
J Pro. No. 519 in Secret E., July 1902, Nos. 619-
526.
British Protectorate.
In November 18991 Sheikh Ahmed mentioned to Colonel Meade his wish
to enter into closer relations with us,
and asked for permission to occupy
Odeid. No action was then taken in the
matter. In April 1902, J Colonel Kemball
reported that Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani of
Katr had approached him with a request
to be taken under British protection. The matter was referred to the
Secretary of State, with the remark that the Government of India saw no
objection to the Besident being permitted to institute enquiries as to the
Pro. No. 526 in Secret e., July 1902 , Nos. 519 - actual position of Ahmed-bin-Thani, and
626, that, should it prove that the Sheikh was
established as Chief of El Katr, they would propose to authorise Colonel
Kemball to conclude with him an agreement similar to those executed with
the Trucial Chiefs of the Arab Coast. It was added that this arrangement
would involve an assurance to the Chief of protection against Turkey and
Pro. No. 66 ia Secret E., May 1S03, Nos. 64-87. 0n ^ Se P temb er
190^, the Secretary of State replied that
he saw no objection to the institution of enquiries as to the position of
Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani, but that, before any steps were taken towards the
conclusion of the proposed agreement, the question of the extension of the
British Protectorate in Arabia would have to be considered carefully both
from the political and from the military point of view. Later information
received from the Political Besident was reported to the Secretary of State
on the 19th January 1903, to the effect that Jasim-bin-Thani was the recog
nised Chief of Katr, and that the Turks styled him Kaimmakam, though he
repudiated the title; that his brother,
Ahmed-bin-Thani, was the de facto Chief,
and was regarded as heir to his brother, who was over 80 vears of age. The
5 w. E, May 1903 , N„. 80 . y ic . ero y that, to prevent Turkish
designs, it would be wise to enter into an
agreement, but that if His Majesty’s Government were not prepared to take
this step at once, which would, perhaps, depend upon the attitude of the Turks,
the Sheikh might be told that we prefer to wait till he succeeds later on to
the Chiefship.
Pro. No. 66 in Secret E., May 1903, Nog. 64-87.