File 4535/1928 Pt 11 ‘Persia: Anglo-Persian Negotiations 1928-9. Policy of H. M. G.’ [‎111r] (21/378)

in the case of Muscat and the Trucial Chiefs where the
Government of India propose no substantial modification
of present policy, their view may unhesitatingly be
accepted. Their proposals in the case of Bahrein
appear open, however, to the criticism that they seem
to suggest that the Government of India do not regard
the prior concurrence of the Sheikh as essential
and that they would be prepared to declare a
protectorate over his head if international objections to
such action could be disposed of. I do not think that
Vfe endorse this view, if in fact it is what the
Government of India suggest. A treaty of protection,
should Persia prove wholly unreasonable, may as the
last resort be necessary by way of asserting our view
of the international position of Bahrein, but such a
treaty can, I think, only be concluded at the request
and with the full assent of the Sheikh, unless we are
to expose ourselves to international criticism of a
damaging nature and to possible political reactions
in the Gulf, in this connection please see paragraphs
43-44 of the memorandum 'trt Bahrein on page 72 of
PG,13. In the circumstances a caveat on the lines
suggested in the draft is perhaps desirable on this
point.
5. The Government of India’s suggestion that
a protectorate should be declared over Kowei'fr is still
more open to criticism. At the moment our obligations
for the defence of that principality are not very
precisely defined, the most important being the
undertaking