'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎172v] (349/386)

86
43
No. 72 (Secret—External), dated Simla, the 9th May 1901.
From—The Government of India in the Foreign Department,
To—The Right Hon’ble Lord George F. Hamilton, His Majesty's Secretary of
State for India.
We have the honour to forward copies of the correspondence noted in the
margin, regarding the course to be pursued
by our Assistant 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 Bahrein
in connection with any mercantile or
other disputes which may arise between
subjects of the Sheikh of Bahrein and a
German firm which proposes to open a commercial agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in the island.
From the 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. ,
No. 295 (Confidential), dated the 24th December
1900, *vith enclosure.
To the 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. ,
No. 708 E.*A., dated the 4th May 1901.
2. We trust that the instructions which we have given to Lieutenant-
Colonel Kemball will meet with the approval of His Majesty’s Government.
At the same time we desire to add that the position is not in our opinion
altogether satisfactory, nor is it one which is likely to he permanent. In pro
portion as the subjects of foreign Powers settle in Bahrein for purposes of trade,
so will cases that raise the question of the nature and extent of the British
protectorate become more frequent and perhaps troublesome; and it is for
consideration whether some steps should not be taken at an early date to place
our position in Bahrein upon a more assured and definite footing.
3. We shall be grateful for the opinion of His Majesty's Government on
this point.
44
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , London ;
Slat June 1901.
Secret.
No. 16.
To His Excellency the Eight Hon'ble the Viceroy and Governor-
General of India in Council.
My Lord,
With reference to your letter No. 72 (Foreign—Secret) of the 9th May
last, I forward herewith, for the information of Your Excellency's Government,
• From India lo For.igo Office, a.ted .he copy of correspondence* with the Foreign
7th June 1901 Umce, on the subject of the course to be
i 3 t F hTuu F e\ r 90 L Officeto India 0ffice ’ ^ tedtM Showed by the Assistant 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 Bahrein in connection with disputes
which may arise between subjects of foreign Powers and subjects of the
Sheikh of Bahrein.
2. Your Excellency will observe that the instructions given by your
Government to the 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. are approved by ‘His
Majesty's Government.
3. W ith regard to the general question of the relations of the Govern
ment of India with the Sheikh of Bahrein, I would refer Your Excellency
to the correspondence now forwarded, and to the third paragraph of my
Secret despatch No. 44 of the 10th December 1898, and also to my Secret
despatch No. 9 of the 24th May last, as indicating a step which would strength
en your authortiy in Bahrein.
4.1 desire to be informed as to any action that may be taken by your
Government in this direction, and I await your proposals for a permauent