'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎138] (165/204)

138
Tel grarr, dated the 19th October 1899
Froti -The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Guif,
To-The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Your teleeram of the iBth October, I do not think Gaskin suitable for Bahrein at
present juncture. He is not pure European, is disposed to intrigue and has already been
mixed up in Bahrein affairs. I believe that be ,s not bked by She.kb. 1 am strongly .n
favour of English gentleman, but if, on financial grounds, this is impossible, I would sug
gest that English Foreign Office may be asked for services of McDonall, Vice Consul at
Mohammerah, Gaskin relieving. McDonall would probably succeed with Shei i. Alter
which some other officer may be avaiiaole.
Telegram No. 175S -E .A., dated Simla, the and November 1899.
From— His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla,
To—The Secretary of State, London.
Please see paracrraph 8-. of our Secret despatch 175 September 21st. Meade recom
mends McDonall, now Vice -Consul, Mohammerah, for new appointment Bahrein.
McDonall seems well qualified and we propose pay ^45° wit Ji office allowance £140 or
about Rs 740 a month. Net cost is less as Bahrein Agent 011 Rs. 100 would be abolished.
This would be considerably cheaper than adding new appointment to Political Depart
ment net cost of which including establishments would not be less than Rs. 1 ,400 a month.
Initial exoenditure in providinor house accommodation possibly Rs. 1 2 ,000 or Rs. 15,000.
If Your Lordsh.p concur ask Eoreign Office if thev can spare McDonall. We
will then send despatch with detailed proposals. Meade suggests Gaskin, Vice-Consul,
Bushire, as possible successor to McDonall at Mohammerah.
Telegram, dated the 18th January 1900.
From—The Resident, Bushire,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Ca cutta.
No. 19. Bahrein Agent has come here very ill, and I think after all Gaskin had
better be sent as temporary measure, as we have appointed him to represent at Bahrein
and no one else available owing to difficulties in the way of relieving McDonall who is
not also quite suitable, as he does not know Arabic as I thought he did. If Gaskin goes, I
think he should get deputation allowance of five rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per day, as he will lose Consular
allowance of thirty pounds per annum, also usual travelling allowance. As Agent will be
retiring, temporary arrangements will not cost much extra.
Telegram, dated the 30th January 1900.
From—The Secretary of State, London^
To—The Viceroy, Calcutta.
Your telegram in the Foreign Department, dated 5th January last. Foreign Office
understands that Meade has changed his opinion about McDonall and is again in communi
cation with you oa the subject.
Telegram No. 33S -E.A., dated the 2nd February 1900.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Calcutta,
To—The Resident, Bushire.
Youi; telegram No. 19, January 18th. Gaskin's appointment as Assistant Political
Agent at Bahrein, with a deputation allowance of Rs. 100 a month is sanctioned as a purely
temporary arrangement.
No. 336 -E .A.
A copy of the foregoing telegram is forwarded to the Department of Finance, for iofor-
matioQ and any further orders which may be necessary.