'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎81] (100/204)

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CHAPTER XXXI.
Attempt by the Turks to enlist subjects of Bahrein residing at Basrah,
1890.
295-A. The contention of the Turkish Government has always been that
0 . rj A * Q/\ \7 Bahrein in a part of their dominions.
Secret E., August 1890, Nos. 300-303. j 4.u i-u d u • i.i r
and that the bahreinese are therefore
Turkish subjects and liable accordingly to all obligations as Turkish subjects.
Their liability to serve in the Turkish army followed as a matter of course, and
the Ottoman Government were not slow to enforce their pretended right. They
attempted to recruit for the army persons calling themselves Bahreinese in Basrah
and Abdul Khasib. This was brought to the notice of the British Consulate
in 1890, and the report of Lieutenant Straton, No. 271, dated 17th June 1890, to
the Resident at Baghdad may be read :—
" I have the honour to state that it appears the Turkish Government here are trying to
recruit persons, calling themselves Bahreinese, residing in Bassorah and Abdul Khasib for
military service.
It is rumoured that several such persons have been to the Persian Consul-General
here and have claimed protection and exemption from enlistment under Turkish colors,
alleging that Bahrein used to be under the Persian Government. It is said that the Persian
Consul-General is representing the master to the Persian Embassy at Constantinople.
I am informed that some of the leading Bahrein people here are makinar secret enquiries
to ascertain whether the British Government would interfere on their behalf, and whether it
would be advisable to present themselves at the British Consulate.
There are supposed to be from 5 to 6,000 natives of Bahrein resident here, but I have
no certain information regarding their nationality.
Probably the Local Government here would assert them to be Turkish subjects, and
possibly the affair may be of the nature of a trick to evade military service.
1 would, however, be glad to have your general instructions on the following points
for my guidance:—
I. Whether I should afford any encouragement to the idea that persons claiming to
belong to Bahrein should naturally seek protection at this Consulate; and
II. What action should I take in case such persons apply to me with or without
such encouragement."
295-B. Colonel Tweedie consulted Colonel Cross, whose opiniorl on the
points raised is quoted below :—
"Our relations with the Government of Bahrein are such that the Chief of the islands
has a claim on our Government for good offices in matters affecting the interests of his
bond fide subjects, when they may be involved in difficulties under the jurisdiction of
powers such as Turkey and Persia, for the Chief of Bahrein is in a measure debarred from
direct communication with Foreign Governments.
If therefore the Chief of Bahrein should apply to us on behalf of his subjects, his
application would have to be considered, but in absence of such appeal I do not think, as a
rule that direct applications from persons calling themselves Bahreinese should be enter
tained. I would therefore advise a reply to recent Stratton in the sense that he should
give no encouragement to that class of persons to apply to him, and that in case of appli
cation being made he should refer applicants to their own Government in the first instance.
The so-called Bahreinese who claim Persian protection are from that act disloyal to
their own Chief, and would have no claim on his or on our sympathy.
I think probably Sheikh Easu would not care to interest himself on behalf of the
soi-disant Bahreinese of Basorah, and unless he did we would have no ground for inter
ference.
295-C. No orders were passed on this correspondence by the Government
of India, as it was deemed questionable whether the persons claiming to be
subjects of Bahrein were really such, and until the Sheikh called for our interven
tion, no action was needed.
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