File 160/1903 'Persian Gulf: El Katr; appointment of Turkish Mudirs; question of Protectorate Treaty with El Katr' [‎166r] (336/860)

reeentiy visited Bahrein, and told Gaskin that the proposal had been contem-
pmtea tor some time, and that he believed that the posts were to be at Odeid,
Wakra, Zobara, and Musalamiya island. Officer for Wakra-named Yusuf
.htiendi—has been appointed, but is apparently still at Hassa, waiting for fur
ther orders from the Porte. Officers for the other places have notVet been
appointed.
No. 47, dated Bushire, the 23rd March 1903 (Confidential).
From Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, C.I.E., 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 Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
I have the honour to report, with reference to my telegram dated 12th
March, on the subject of El Katr, that, on the 16th instant, the mail steamer
from Basrah arrived in Bushire. Abdul Karim Effendi, the Mudir-designate
for Odeid, was on board en route to Bahrein. I had him interviewed, and he
stated that his destination had been altered. He was to have gone to Odeid,
but he knew what a desolate place Odeid was, and he had managed to arrange
a transfer to another place called Alayun, which I am unable to locate, but
which is, I believe, somewhere near Katif or Al Hasa, and he was on his way
to Al Hasa to obtain orders from the Mutessarif. As regards Odeid he stated
that another officer, whose name he did not know, had been appointed as
Mudir. He was of Kurdish origin and was now in Basrah, and would probably
come to Bahrein by the following mail. He stated that Sheikh Jasim-bin-
Thani had asked the Porte to establish administrative units at Zobara, Wakra,
and Odeid, and that Arabi Effendi, who had gone to Bahrien by the preceding
mail steamer, was nominated to the Zobara Mudirich, and that Yusuf Beg,
now at Al Hasa, was to go to Wakra.
He did not know the number of soldiers to be stationed at the new posts.
2. It is, I think, very probable that Sheikh Jasim has recommended to
the Porte the establishment of ^ these posts. The, Turkish authorities have, I
believe, been for some time anxious to get hold of Sheikh Jasim, and I gather
that they wish to hold him responsible for the recently disturbed state of the
country between Ojair and Al Hasa. Sheikh Jasim has therefore, in order to
absolve himself from responsibility, recommended ,the Turks to establish posts
at several points on Katr, knowing that we should not view with equanimity
any occupation of Zobara and Odeid, and wishing to embroil the Turks
with us.
3. It is, in my opinion, absolutely essential for the security of the
Bahrein islands that Zobara should not be occupied by the Turks. Apart
from the fact that the occupation of Zobara would be viewed with the
greatest concern by the Chief of Bahrein, who considers the place to be an
appanage of his, and whose rights we are bound to maintain, the prestige
which the Turks would gain throughout the countryside by the occupation
of this place, in opposition to the well-known views of the British Government,
would be so great that an attack on Bahrein from Katr could at any time be
organised, and the continual presence of a ship of war in Bahrein waters, and
perhaps even a military occupation of the islands, would be required. Regard
ing the occupation by the Turks and other places on El Katr it is not, I think,
necessary for me at the present time to add anything to what has already been
said on the subject.
Telegram No. 648-E., dated the 9th April 1903.
Pj-om—The Foreign Secretary, Simla,
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.
My telegram, 31st March. El Katr. Secretary of State telegraphs 7th
: — Begins. Owing to rumour ***** they may have. Ends.
Please act accordingly, repeating to me any message you send to Constan
tinople.