"مراسلات بشأن إنشاء محطة تلغراف لاسلكية في البحرين" [و‎‎٤] (٣٢٤/١٣)

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Telegraphic communication between Bushire and Bahrein.
PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
BUSHIRE AND BAHREIN.
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No. 156, dated Bushire, the 17th November 1902.
From— Lietitenant-Colonbl C. A. Kemball , Officiating Political Resident in the
Persian Gulf,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
I have the honour to report that the Assistant Political A^ent at Bahrein
has brought to my notice that he has been repeatedly approached by the British
Indian traders of that place on the subject of the great advantage which would
accrue to Bahrein, from a commercial point of view, if Bahrein could be brought
into telegraphic communication with the outside world.
The commercial importance of Bahrein is undoubtedly increasing, and it is
certainly probable that if telegraphic facilities could be given, the place which
is now annually increasing in importance, would still further develope. A
reference to last year's trade report will show that the trade of India with
Bahrein is of very considerable importance.
From a political point of view the establishment of telegraphic communi
cation between Bushire and Bahrein would be most convenient, and it would,
of course, afford a further material proof of the interest taken in the place by
His Majesty's Government.
The distance between Bushire and Bahrein is 170 miles and the laying of
a cable between the two places could easily be effected. I am unable to
say what the cost would be, but it would, I think, be prohibitive if the line
is required to pay its own way, that is, to pay the usual interest on the cost
and meet the working expenwSes. Mr. Gaskin estimates that at present the
receipts at Bahrein would amount to about Rs. 10,000 annually, but I am
unable to vouch for the approximate accuracy of the figure.
I understand, however, that great improvements in the working of the
" Marconi" wireless system have recently been effected, and that at any rate
before long the system will be so improved that it will be an easy matter to
establish communication by this system over the short distance which separates
Bushire from Bahrein. If t am correct in this supposition, and if, as I understand,
the cost of establishing the communication by means of the Marconi system
is not likely to be large, I trust that the importance, both commercial and
political, of tho project may be considered.
No. 570-E., dated Fort William, the 23rd March 1903.
From—The Officiating Under-Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign
Department,
To—Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball , C .I .E., Officiating Political Resident
in the Persian Gulf,
I am directed to reply to your letter No. 156. dated the 17th November
1002, regarding the establishment of telegraphic communication between
Bushire and Bahrein.
2. The cost of laying down a cable would be prohibitive, but your sugges
tion to connect the places by wireless telegraphy will be borne in mind. The
systems have not been sufficiently perfected to warrant the adoption of any
one of them by the Government of India in the Persian Gulf.
241 F D.—S E-31-32 —May.
Exd.— W. G. B.