"ملف ٣/٣ البحرية الفارسية" [و‎‎٢‎٧] (٢٠٠/٥٣)

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up by formal representations at Tehran regarding the visit
of a Persian warshipw ithout notification* The position is
different in the case of Bahrain* Sir Samuel hoare appreciates
the force of the arguments adduced by His Majesty's Minister,
and supported by the Government of India, as of the counter
arguments suggested in Colonel Powle 1 s telegram of 24th
Hovember 0 It is,perhaps,as the Minister suggests, very
improbable that the Persians will risk compromising their
claim to Bahrain by instructing or permitting an officer of
their Havy to pay a ceremonial call on the Shaikh* But on
the other hand the danger cannot be overlooked that the
opportunity of such a ceremonial visit, were the Shaikh to
accept it, might be taken by the Persians to intimate in a
public manner,e„g* in the event of His Excellency receiving
the party in Burbar, that he was regarded as a Persian
subject, while any action on their part which could be
construed as a formal recognition of the Shaikh’s independence
would inevitably be disavowed by Persia* On the whole,
however, having regard to the considerations advanced by the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the Secretary of State
considers that the best course would be to leave to the
discretion of the Political Agent, Bahrain, in the light of
all the circumstances including those in which the Persian
ship has arrived at Bahrain, the question whether or not
a ceremonial call, if offered, should be accepted* In the
event of any such call being accepted and passing without
incident he would, however, propose first that the Shaikh
should be advised not to receive a further ceremonail call
from a ship visiting without notice, and secondly that a
formal notification should at once be made to the Persian
Government in the name of the Shaikh that in future formal
notice of such visits must be given* The Shaikh might in
this connection take the opportunttyto refer to his desire
for
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