File 160/1903 'Persian Gulf: El Katr; appointment of Turkish Mudirs; question of Protectorate Treaty with El Katr' [‎165r] (334/860)

No. 3042-E., dated Simla, the 3rd October 1902.
From- The Under-Secretary to the Government of India in tbe Foreign Depart
ment, 6
To- Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, Officiating 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 bulf.
I am directed to refer to your confidential letter No. 93, dated the 26th
April 1902, regarding the desire of Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani of El Katr to be
taken under British protection.
2. I am to enclose confidentially, for your information, a copy of a Secret
* No. 37, dated the 5th September i£02, with despatch* on the subject from His Majes-
enclosure. ty’s Secretary of State for India, and to
request that the Government of India may now be furnished with a report as
to the actual position of Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani in El Katr. As stated in
the despatch, you should not proceed beyond the enquiry, nor commit the Gov
ernment of India to any obligations at present.
No. 185, dated Bushire, the 27th December 1902 (Confidential).
From—L ieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, Officiating 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. ,
To—The Officiting Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Depart
ment.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 2042-E.,
dated 3rd October 1902, in which I was directed to furnish a report as to the
actual position of Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani in El Katr.
Erom the enclosed report submitted to me by 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.
No. 257. dried the 14th December 1902. f ? al '" ein ^ t W .° Uld aPPear
Jasim-bm-Tham is the recognised Chief
of Katr, and that he holds the title of Kaimmakam from the Turks. Sheikh
Ahmed, however, appears to be the de facto Chief, and it is considered probable
tteatTon Sheikh Jasim’s death he will succeed to the Chiefship. I may mention
that the Chief of Bahrein is at present on friendly terms with Sheikh Ahmed
and is in a position to know the actual state of affairs in Katr.
2. I find from the records of my office that, when Colonel Meade visited
Al-Makra in 1899, in connection with the piracies which had recently been
committed off the Katr Coast, he met Sheikh Ahmed, who then expressed a
desire to enter into closer relations with the British Government, and asked if
he and his people might be permitted to occupy Odeid. Colonel Meade
informed the Sheikh that the matter would have to be referred to the Govern
ment of India, and I understand that he was expecting a letter from Sheikh
Ahmed before making an official reference to Government.
Odeid as the Government of India is aware, is, although still unoccupied,
considered to he an appanage of Abu Dhabi, and in any ease we could not
allow it to he occupied except by a Chief who would be entirely under our
protection.
No. 257, dated Bahrein, the 14th December 1902.
From - J. C. Gaskin, Esq., 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. at Bahrein,
rf 0 Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, Officiating 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. .
With reference to the desire of the Government of India to know the
a-tual position of Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani, I have Gie honour to report that
I have made careful enquiries regarding this person from reliable sources, and
have ascertained that on the demise of Sheikh Jasim he is likely to succeed to
the Sheikhdom of Katr if the Turks do not interfere in the affairs of that
district.