'Correspondence re the Establishment of a Wireless Telegraph Station in Bahrain' [‎11] (27/324)

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No. 2014, dated Bushire, the 15th (received 23rd) August 1909 (Confidential).
From— Major P. Z. Cox , C.S.I., C.I.E., 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 Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
—S, H. B utler , Esq., C.S.I,, C.I.E., Secretary to the Government of India in the
Foreign Department, Simla.
In amplification of my telegram No. 812, dated the 12th instaoti Ihave
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. . to K«id e „t. utter Ko. t' 1 " .^'nour to forward the report of the
c-5, dated 7tu August 1909. rolitical Agent, Bahrein, regarding the
overtures of Messrs. Wonckhaus , Agent
on the subject of telephonic communication and wireless telegraphy at Bahrein.
No. C.-5, dated Bahrein, the 7th August 1909 (Confidential).
From—C aptain C. F. Mackenzie , 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. , Bahrein,
To—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 Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Eoever, Bahrein Agent of
Messrs. Wonckhaus and Company, visited me on the afternoon of the 3rd August
and in the course of conversation asked me whether he thought Sheikh Esa
would have any objection to his erecting a telephone line between Manama
and Muharraq, where the firm has a branch Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. generally superinteuded
by a Persian named Abdulla bin Ahmed.
I replied that altghouh Doctor Mylrea of the American Mission had a
telephone between his house and his hospital (a distance of some two hundred
yards) the new proposal was a very different matter and I thought that Sheikh
Esa would most probably object.
He then asked if he sent me an application whether I would a ddress the
Chief on the subject.
I answered in the affirmative knowing that I could always obtain a
negative answer from Sheikh Esa. The attitude that would be adopted by
Government was not enquired into by Mr. Hoever and I saw no necessity to
bring in that issue.
Sheikh Esa may well reply that it would compete unfairly with the ferry
men, and the telephone posts would also be a nuisance and that he does not care
to give up a long slice of land for this purpose.
2. I asked the Agent of Messrs. Gray Paul (next day) whether they were
ever likely to desire a telephone to Muharraq and he replied in the negative.
None of the Indian traders would be sufficiently progressive to wish for a
telephone and therefore it could only be to the advantage of the German firm,
as this Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. would have no use whatever for it.
3. Erom a financial point of view I am sure that the telephone would be
a failure, unless a general exchange was erected and the Hindus and others
allowed to call up their business relations on payment of a fixed fee. Even
then I am doubtful as to whether it would be a paying concern, as the line
would be long and expensive. They might have the idea of placing the
junior Agent in Muharraq, but I do not think this probable.
As, however, there appears to be no advantage in permitting a spread of
influence, I will verbally advise the Chief to reply in the negative should any
proposal to this effect be made.
4. When I had replied that I would address the Chief on the subject of
the telephone, if officially desired by him to do so, Mr. Roever remarked that
their Company was also anxious to instal a wireless system between here and
Bushire, and asked what the Chief would think of that.
I replied that I knew Sheikh Esa was adverse to innovations, and added that
the question of telegraphic communication between Bahrein and Bushire