'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.' [‎143r] (290/386)

into a naval base. While anchored off the neighbouring Persian port of Lingah,
I entertained the Salar-i-Moazzam to a
Enclosure No v. dinner on board the “ Hardinge,” and the
remarks which I made in proposing the health of his sovereign are among the
enclosures to this letter. Nothing coull exceed the cordiality of the relations
that prevailed.
9. Prom Lingah I again crossed to the Arab Coast of the Gulf, where I
spent two davs in the harbour of Bahrein. The Chief of these islands, who has
now ruled fora period of 36 years, owes his position, his immunity from attack
and from the warfare and bloodshed of earlier days, and the increasing prosperity
of Bahrein (which appears to be capable of very considerable further develop
ment) exclusively to the British Protectorate. The latter has on many occa
sions been asserted by His Majesty’s Government and admits of no dispute. It
is the main, if not the sole, guarantee for the commercial expansion of which
the place seems to be undoubtedly susceptible. It has been further empha
sized in recent years by the recognition in 1899 by the Government of India,
with the sanction of your predecessor, of the Sheikh’s eldest son, Sheikh Hamed,
as his successor-designate to the Chiefship of the State. The Shiekh himself is
of a conservative disposition, and he would gladly see no changes ma le in any-
thin^ in his time, and be left to die in peace. In the private interview which
I accorded to him, one or two local subjects were discussed, and in pursuance
of the authority more than once given to me by the Secretary of State. I then
pressed upon the Sheikh an improvement in the admisnistration of his Customs.
If this be not undertaken before long, the State will become seriously emoar-
rassed by the personal indebtedness of its head. I intimated to the Sheikh that
the reform which was entirely in the interests of himself and his son could not
he permanently postponed : and that I should expect proposals to be submitted
to me by the Resident in consultation with him.
10 While at Bahrein t thought it likely that I might receive a visit from
Sheikh Ahmcd-bin-Thani of El Katr, about whom I had been in correspondence
with vou Had I met him I should have acted in accordance with the instruc
tions contained in your telegram of 18th November. The Sheikh, however,
did not receive Colonel Kemball’s invitation in time to attend.
VI On the 28th November, the squadron arrived at Koweit, and I spent two
rWc n/tuk interesting place. Sheikh Mubarak was unaffectedly flattered and
Sccd at anYhe exerted himself to receive me with all the Umited
resources of which his people and town were capable. My entry into Koweit
in a carriage with the Sheikh (the only vehicle in ttie place) surrounded by
<’■alienin'’' and shouting cavalcade of Arab horsemen and camelmen, between
Hues of thousands of The inhabitants, and groups of women uttering shrill
cries, was one of the most picturesque incidents of the tour.
1 -1 In vour letter of 6th November you expressed the opinion that it was
inevitable that the Sheikh should he anxious to receive from mo assurances ot
sunnort in excess of those already given to him. I had myself eutertaxned
some Inch apprehension. But here, as at Maskat, I found that the visit itself
a uite apart from any fresh promises or engagements, was regarded by the ru c
as finally hindin- him toour cause, and as setting the seal upon the protec-
Bon andoverlordship of the British Power. I was accordingly relieved from
l°e position! anticipated by you as one of special difficulty, of either having to
listen to embarrassing questions or to give embarrassing answers. It is true
that in his private conversation with me the Sheikh after stating explicit y
t !t lie had sever, d all connection with the Turks, and that he repudiated
relations witllany other Power than the British, asked that he might receive
us a title o/decoration and an allowance. But these favours were, evi.
dentlv sought as ratification of a relationship regarded by the Sheikh as already
in existence rather than as the initial steps in a new and more defined i dgune.
and they were merely the corollary of his action at the official reception at
the previous day, when, upon receiving a sword at my hands as his Uniat or
gift, he asked fora belt with which to gird it on, as he had now become a