Coll 30/111 'British Naval Stations in: Establishments at Khor Quwai and Bahrain. Evacuation of Henjam and Basidu.' [‎102v] (209/1154)

15th March. The opportune announcement that 1 was thus enabled to
privately, and in the guise proposed m this lattei telegram, was os gratilymg
to the Sul ‘“ barki on the 20th instant in H.M.S Shoreham, his Highness
steamed via Khor Quwai at Khasab, passing close inshore to Jazirat-el-Ghanam,
which he was thus enabled to view at close quarters The Sultan thereafter
lated that he did not require to land at the island, but requested me to furnish
him with a tracing of it showing our probable requirements and the adjacent
mainland He further desired me to formulate the requirements in writing.
11 During his stay at Khasab his Highness prosecuted various necessary
enquiries but, although the subject was tactfully pressed on the 24th and
25th instants, the Sultan displayed a certain reluctance to give any decision
Trending further reflection. I considered that to push him unduly would be
fraught with undesirable results, in which opinion the senior naval officer entirely
concurred
12. On the morning of the 26th instant, shortly prior to our arrival in
Muscat, his Highness informed me verbally that he had made up his mind and
that he would gladly accord the permission sought, with certain minor provisos.
He promised to send me his written reply the same afternoon.
13. A somewhat rough passage had, however, upset his Highness, and he
was unfortunately indisposed for the rest of the 26th March and most of the
next day. His written reply in Arabic, copies of which are herewith appended,
was received late at night on the 27th instant, and a translation was available
by dawn to-day.
14. As, however, a slight element of doubt remained in the Sultan’s letter
as to the meaning of the phrase : “ I do not agree that the whole of the island
should be used by you,” I sought an interview to-day with his Highness to clear
the point up. y
15. His Highness explained that his intention was that personnel of the
Royal Navy should be at liberty to move about the whole island quite freely, but
that the restriction implied in his above-quoted sentence applied to building
operations. These were to be limited to the places already pointed out to him,
both in situ and on the tracing, in the northern portion of the island.
16. Regarding other stipulations. The island abounds with £c wild ” goats,
which in reality are flocks owned by his subjects on the adjacent mainland.
These animals are turned loose on the island for grazing purposes, and their
owners very occasionally land to remove some for festival and other purposes.
His Highness desires therefore that access to the island for his subjects shall in
no way be restricted. As no fresh water exists on the island, no local inhabitant
from the mainland is likely to migrate there.
17. This stipulation of the Sultan seems in every way reasonable, and was
concurred in by the senior naval officer when verbally mentioned to him here.
18. I also sounded his Highness’s views regarding the provision of arms
for the permanent personnel ashore. He considered that they certainly should
be in possession of rifles.
19. His Highness appears to have misunderstood my verbal statement to
him concerning a flagstaff. My statement was that no flag (implying the national
flag or ensign) would be hoisted. I feel sure, however, that if a flagstaff, purely
loi signalling purposes, is subsequently required, the Sultan will not raise any
objection.
, Highness verbally mentioned to me that, in view of the fact that
e whole island would be at the disposal of the Royal Navy for recreation, he
hoped that parties would normally avoid the mainland and villages thereon,
eieby eliminating any chances of friction between elements, neither of whom
knew the other s language or habits.
21. I trust that you will concur with my actions and approve of the results
obtained.
I have, &c.
C. E. U. BREMNER, Major.