'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎105] (124/204)

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105
3. At the same time, I am inclined to doubt whether the requirements
of the case justify the issue of a separate Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. to provide for
Consular jurisdiction at Bahrein and the other places in the Gulf not already
provided for by Orders in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. . The Assistant 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. is already
invested with magisterial powers in criminal cases over British Indian subjects,
and there are at present no European British subjects at Bahrein. The want,
therefore, of Consular jurisdiction has not hitherto been felt to .any appreciable
extent, and the object of my letter No. 7, dated 16th January, was merely to
suggest that notarial powers should be conferred upon the Assistant Political
Agent so as to enable him to perform certain notarial functions and levy fees for
so doing. As a matter of fact. Courts in India are not, I think, likely to dispute
the validity of the Assistant 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. 's attestation of documents and the
question of the levy of fees is not of much importance. If, therefore, a separate
Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. is required to invest the Assistant 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. with Consular
rank, I am disposed to think that there is at present no sufficient justification for
the measure.
4. In connection with the extension of Consular jurisdiction to Bahrein,
it is, I think, necessary to bear in mind that although we have an agreement
with the Chief of Bahrein whereby Foreign Consulur Agencies cannot be
established in Bahrein without the consent of the British Government, it may
perhaps be inconvenient to maintain this position in the event of British Con
sular jurisdiction being extended to Bahrein. The Gern\an Consul at Bushire
informed me once in course of conversation that he considered his jurisdiction in
the Gulf to extend wherever mine did, and I think he said that his instructions
from his Government were to this effect. This point has not of course escaped
the notice of the Government of India, but I mention it so as to make my
present report as complete as possible.
374. The following notes were recorded upon this :—
We suggested the passing of an Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. for Bahrein and the southern shores of
There *re other reasons suggested in Mr. Ed- the Gulf, and the investment of Mr. Gaskin with
ward 's note o! 10th February 1901, paragraph 7 Consular powers, mainly because Colonel Kem-
(Secret E., May 1901, Nos. 29 3c). But I do not thought it necessary that Mr. Gaskin should
think that they are sufficient to justify the passing . & r m ^ , d ur r-
of an order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. . be g^en the powers of a Notary Public. Colonel
■ J. B. W ood . Kemball's present letter indicates that the neces
sity is more imaginary than real, and he thinks that there is at present no sufficient justifica
tion for passing an Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. , which may indeed complicate the position in Bahrein
by inducing other powers to claim Consular representation in the island.
I think that we may accept Colonel Kemball's view and that the question need not be
further pursued at present.
Legislative Department might see for any remarks.
J. B. W ood ,— 20-8-02.
h. daly,— 20-8-02.
Legislative Department.
As the Executive Department does not consider the matter to be of practical import
ance, we may concur in the proposal not to pursue it further, without discussing the further
questions referred to by the Resident.
R. greeven,—2-9 -02.
J. M. Macpherson,— 2-9 -02.
T. R(aleigh),—2-9 -02.
Foreign Department.
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