File 4535/1928 Pt 10 ‘Persian Gulf: Anglo-Persian Negotiations 1928-30. Question of removal of Residency from Bushire.’ [‎186v] (370/460)

It was agreed
(2.)—THE ESTABLISHMENT OE FORMAL C£ PROTECTORATES ’
KOWEIT, BAHREIN AND MUSCAT.
OVER
1
(Paper No. P.G. 26.)
THE COMMITTEE had under consideration a Memorandum by the Secretary
of State for India on the question of the establishment of formal Protectorates at
Koweit, Bahrein and Muscat. (Paper No. P.G. 26, paragraphs 4 to 8.)
General agreement was expressed with the arguments set forth in paragraphs
4 to 8 of Lord Peel’s Paper. & r ^
Conclusions.
(a.) As regards Koweit that it is better on the whole that matters should remain
as they are, and that, while endeavouring to secure so far as possible
that Koweit shall not be identified with Iraq, we should defer considera
tion of the establishment of a formal Protectorate until circumstances
appear to make this more clearly desirable.
(b.) As regards Bahrein, that the question of whether or not a formal
Protectorate should be declared must to some extent depend on our success
in persuading the Persian Government to drop their claim to suzerainty
In these circumstances the matter would probably require further
consideration at a later date.
As regards Muscat, that we should content ourselves with aiming at the
maintenance of the status guo, and should not pursue the idea of a formal
Protectorate.
(3.)—THE SEPARATION OF THE APPOINTMENTS OF CONSUL-
GENERAL FOR SOUTH PERSIA AND 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. ,
(Paper No. P.G. 32.)
THE COMMITTEE had under consideration a Memorandum by the Secretary
of State for India on the question of the separation of the functions of the Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and those of the Consul -General, Bushire, and of the
removal of 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. from Persian soil. (Paper No. P.G. 32.)
SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN said that there had been a rather unfortunate
incident. Sir Robert Clive had on his own initiative broached the subject of the
removal of 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. from Persian soil to Teymourtache, who had
warmly welcomed the suggestion. Sir Robert Clive had now been told privately
that he was to inform Teymourtache that his reference to the proposition had been
an entirely personal one and left His Majesty’s Government entirely uncommitted,
and he had been warned that His Majesty’s Government would be extremely reluctant
to make any change in the present situation.
LORD PEEL observed that in view of the fact that the Persian Government
had not pressed us in this matter, it would be better to maintain the status quo unless
the concession was essential to the clinching of the negotiations.
The Government of India had recently reiterated their reluctance to contemplate
so momentous a change unless as the result of strong and direct pressure from Persia.
Not the least of the objections to it was the extreme difficulty of finding a satisfactory
alternative to Bushire.
SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN then read out extracts from a letter which
Mr. Oliphant had received only that morning from Sir Robert Clive, in which
Sir Robert mentioned that he had no idea of the great importance which the Persians
attached to the removal of the Resident from Bushire until lie had broached the
subject to Teymourtache.