'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎171r] (346/386)

2. As Your Lordship is aware, the Turks have maintained a garrison at
El Bidaa on the El Katr coast forever 30 years. His Majesty’s Government
do not, however, recognise their authority beyond the limits of the town, nor
are Turkish pretensions allowed to interfere with our liberty of action in
dealing direct with the Chiefs of the peninsula. In these circumstances, and
having regard to the terms of the late Lord Kimberley’s Secret despatch No. 53,
dated the 8tb September 1893, we see no objection to Colonel Kemhall being
permitted to institute enquiries as to the actual position of Sheikh Ahmed-
hin*Thani, and, should it prove that the Sheikh i s established as Chief of El
Katr, we would propose to authorise Colonel Kemball to conclude with him an
Agreement similar to those which have been executed with the Trucial Chiefs
of the Arab Coast. The arrangement would, however, involve an assurance
to the Chief of protection against Turkey and other powers, and, in view of the
presence of the Turkish garrison at El Bidaa and of the complications which
have recently arisen in connection with Turkish claims at Koweit and elsewhere,
we desire to receive the instructions of His Majesty’s Government before making
any communication to Colonel Kemball.
3. As Colonel Kemball observes, there are various points which would
require consideration before a definite Agreement could be concluded. But the
recent activity of tlie Turks in the neighbourhood of El Hasa indicates the
desirability of losing no time in consolidating our position in the El Katr
peninsula. We shall be glad, therefore, to receive an early reply from Your
Lordship.
Secret.
40
India OpriCE,
5th Septembei' 190i.
No. 37.
To His Excellency the Right Hon’ble the Governor-General of India
in Counoil-
My Loed,
I have considered in communication with the Secretary of State for
Eoreign Affairs your letter No. 113 (Foreign, Secret) of the 10th July last,
in which you propose to permit Colonel Kemball to institute enquiries as to the
actual position of Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani, and, should it prove that the
Sheikh is established as Chief of El Katr, to authorise him to conclude with
the Sheikh an agreement similar to those which have been executed with the
Trucial Chiefs of the Arab Coast.
2. I enclose, for Your Excellency’s information, copies of the letters *
* To Foreign Office, d.ted 11th August 1902 . "’ hich ha VO .P^sed between this Office
From Foreign office, dated 25 th August 1902 . and the Foreign Office on this subject.
3. I see no objection to the institution of enquiries as to the position of
Sheikh Ahmed-bin-Thani, but before any steps are taken towards the conclu
sion of the proposed agreement, the question of the extension of the British
Protectorate in Arabia must be considered carefully both from the political
and from the military point of view.
L I therefore desire that Your Excellency will instruct Colonel Kemball
not to proceed beyond the proposed enquiry, nor to commit the Government
of India to any obligations, pending the result of further discussion of the
subject between the Indian Government and His Majesty’s Government.
I have the honour to be,
Mr Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble Servant,
GEORGE HAMILTON.