'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎42] (61/204)

42
I
50. It was found afterwards unnecessary to despatch another vessel, the
Pol a , November 1874, noi. 164 and 169. Nimble being already at Bahrein. On
12th September 1874 the Resident again
telegraphed
1 r "r The x?*"' Ha 5 ir tr j b f refer red to in my telegram of fifth, having procured a few
beats from Bidaa, portion of them embarked Their designs as against Bahrein were frustrated
by movements of Bombay Marine The navy of the East India Company. vessels. They however plundered a Bahrein trading vessel
before abandoning boats. Subsequently they attacked fort of Zobarah opposite Bahrein
Appearance of Hugh Rose oi Zobarah intimidated Beni Hajir, and prevented capture of
place, vvhich would have given them possession of boats and imperilled Bahrein. The Nairn
^ obar l 5 h . retur A nin g hastily from Pearl Banks and Bahrein attacked and severely
defeated Beni Hajir. An Agent of Governor of Lahsa reported to have accompanied and
mated the Ben. Hajir. Danger to Bahrein from that tribe considered over for present
" s Steamer Magpie arrived Bahrein on 12th. It is important one Royal Navy
e.sel remain there for present. Am requesting Senior Naval Officer accordin^lv and
rem'M 0 ^' 6 ^ 0 ^ 1 / lstruc ma y a 's 0 he given to that effect. Full particulars of occur^
rences submitted by post. Instructions in your message of 14th carried out."
f0rVVarding co Py of this telegraphic correspondence to the Secretary
or btate, the suggestion was made that—
"The circumstances reported by Colonel Ross should be communicated to the Govern-
ment of the Sublime Porte through Her Majesty's Minister at Constantinople, who might
be instructed to represent that if these tribes be under the authority of Turkey the y shoSld
be restrained by the Government of the Sultan. If, however Bahrein is Jit
on the part of the British authorities in repelling the tribe will not be delayed." ' ^
152. In a letter, dated 12th September 1874, the Resident reported in more:
Pol. a., november 1874, Nos. 171-199. detail the proceedings of the Beni Haiir
m * . m , . . and their defeat at Zobarah bv the
Nairn tribe, whose Chief was a kind of feudatory of the Sheikh of Bahrein
The more important portmns of his letter relate to the alleged countenance
afforded them by Bezech, the Turkish Governor of Hasa in this raid- from
twoindependent sources it was reported that his Agent, one Nasir bin Tub?
bin Salim, had influenced and abetted the tribe in their lawless agressions and
had accompanied them towards Zobarah. The Resident added--" Considering
the lawless nature of the object of the Beni Hajir, and their having en4lerMn
T P u e rkish lr r Cy 0n sea ' I' m!ght be deemed advisable t0 enquire from the
1 urkish Government as to the part taken by this Agent in the a^ressive and
piratical proceeding reported. aggressive and-
'53- Commenting on our obligation under the Treaty of 1S61 to orevenf.
and employ force against aggressive enterprises of this nature, he notedTs one
of our preventive measures the assistance of the various chieftins of the Katar
Coast who, it was understood, were held responsible in these matters for fh P >
immediate coast line. This responsibility the Chief of Bidaa nr at
is son Jasim bin Mahomed, was'prepared' to evade on the £ that the/ ^
under Turkish influence. " It is, therefore, now 1 think n ma-tt- fo, , Bere
tion whether the Turkish Government should not be'askedlo state
what portions of the coast they undertake to be responsible" Th* R
also mentioned the insecurity of the Chief nf R.h^- " -• The . Res ' d ent
enmity of the other branch of the family, the secret sympa'th^fTh" Turks'''a^d
his own want of conciliation towards the Arab Chiefs and ntLrc ^ r
anticipating an early change in the position of affairs' ' ^ a reaSOri for
I 54' In reply to these letters the Government nf fnrb'a m t-.
dated 21st October .874) instructed him notTo hold comlS^'^r
local Turkish officials regarding Bahrein.
"Any necessary representations can, under present circumstances, be made with more
No. 157 Of Proceedings Cited. ^ ttect through Her Majesty's Ambassador at
retary of State for Foreign Affairs Inf^rf onstan . tin °P le u n . d er instructions from the Sec-
Chiefs on the Coast should, t flr as prlctalle 6 be r 0f Rahrein and of the
interests of British subjects, mainta^nino- our Tr^ f Iim ^ e ^ to Protecting the legitimate
obligations. When these are affected it will bp nr ** ^ ' and performing our Treaty
otherwise the less interference you exercise the better/ step s to put matter right^
couraged IhT former hom aUemm" f y u* Naim tribe a PP"entIy dis-
of them were said to have been arrested^v la" moveinents . and seven
Bahrein boat, in which he had a considerate of" tL'Tu^Took