'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎55] (74/204)

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200. Despatch No. 55, dated 22nd May 1879, described the continued
piracies of the Beni Hajir under Zaid-bin-Mahomed joined by the Ajman along the
coast between Katif and Ojair and the inadequate and ineffective measures of
repression taken by the Turkish authorities. It noticed the apprehensions of
the Chief of Bahrein, his application to the British authorities with special re
ference to the daring raid on Azaria and the obligations of the British Govern
ment towards the Chief.
201. At the close of the despatch in which this description of recent piracies
Proposals for suppression piracies. was transmitted to the Secretary of State
Poiiticai a,, September 1879, No. 231. the Government of India called attention
to a letter, dated 4th March 1879, which Cononel Nixon, the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. , had addressed to Sir A. Layard, Her Majesty's Ambassador
at Constantinople, on the subject of the piracies in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and
observed:—
" Colonel Nixon is not understood to be personally acquained with the country which
he describes, and the accuracy of the information which he has furnished to Her Majesty's
Ambassador at Constantinople is open to question. In dealing with the outrages our
difficulty has been that they have been committed either within Turkish territorial waters
or in close proximity thereto—a point which Colonel Nixon does not seem to have fully
appreciated. That officer further considers that the recent piracies in the Gulf have arisen
out of quarrels of the tribes on the mainland of Nejd and Bahrein. This view is not shared
by Colonel Ross, the Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , who has an intimate knowledge of
these localities, and who necessarily possesses far superior means of obtaining information
regarding them. According to Colonel Ross no inter-tribal disputes were going on, and
the outrages were committed, for the most part, by well known piratical gangs whose
sole object was plunder.
" Moreover, on the 20th January and 25th February, Mr. Robertson, the Political
Assistant and Vice-Consul at Basrah, within
Political A., September, No. 218. which Pashalik the Turkish possessions on the
„ » » " 228 - Arab coast are situate, informed Colonel Nixon
that no disturbance whatever existed in the interior, but that if order was not restored
on the coast, the disturbances might spread to the mainland. Nor is there any sufficient
evidence, so far as can be ascertained, for the statements that the Turks have conquered
years ago all the mainland in the interior from Koweit to Zobarah, and that the coast line
of pettv tribes has fallen insensibly under Turkish dominion, and that really all the interests
of the Nejd coast rest in Turkey."
202. Meanwhile Colonel Ross forwarded a copy of a letter from the Com
mander of H. M. S. Vulture in which
Political A, September 1879, 03.376-^2. ^ gave his opinion of the measures
which should be adopted to suppress piracy on the Turkish Arabian
coast. His opinion, although arrived at independently, coincided exactly with
that expressed by Colonel Ross in his telegram of 28th February 1879. He
suggested that British cruisers, acting on Colonel Ross' requisition, should be
permitted to track the pirates, if necessary, to their bases of operation on the
Nejd coast, where their boats and vessels could generally be destroyed or cap
tured without going beyond the beach : that the channels west and south of
Bahrein should be surveyed, and to assist in these operations he recommended
that a steam pinnace should be permanently stationed near Bahrein, with the
view also of protecting the islands from the raids of the Bedouins.
203. In reply to Colonel Ross' letter we forwarded to him a letter from His
Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, in which he stated his opinion
that a steam pinnace was not required, and that the ships detailed for duty in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. were amply sufficient for all purposes. His Excellency recom-
•mended that a vessel should be stationed at Bahrein permanently, until the
marauding tribes had entirely disappeared, and that the British India Mail
Steamers should call at Bahrein in going up and down the Gulf.
204. In our despatch to the Secretary of State, No. 77 of the 23rd June
1870, we forwarded a tabular statement
Political A., September 1879, No. 338. compiled by Colonel ROSS showing in
detail the total reported losses from piracies on the Turkish Arabian coast and
the cases in which, in his opinion, the British Government were interested in
recovering indemnity. Our despatch also forwarded papers connected with the
recent course of events in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .