Annotated Copy of Persia and the Persian Question by George Curzon, with Inserted Papers [‎31r] (68/1814)

No. 173, dated Bushire, the 12th December 1902.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. .Keuball, 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.
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.
in the
y
I have the honour to submit a report on the subject of the Chiefs,
commonly known as the Trucial Chiels, who occupy the coast line of the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. on the Arabian side, from the limits of the El Katr peninsula
eastward to Eas-al-Khaima.
2 . A full account of the various tribes living under the rule of these
Chiefs will he found in Yolume XXIV of the Bombay Government Eecords,
and I propose to confine my present report mainly to a consideration of the
question of the relations of this Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. to the Trucial Chiefs.
3 . In order to explain the position satisfactorily, it may he advisable to
make a passing reference to the causes which led to the interference of the
British Government in the affairs of these Arab tribes. In the early part of
the last century, what may perhaps be described as a reign of terror existed in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. owing to the acts of piracy committed by the Arab tribes
living on the shores of the Gulf. Previous to the expedition of 1819 under Sir
William Grant Keir, which had for its object the complete destruction of the
forts and boats of the piratical tribes, no vessel whether carrying a British pass
or British colours, or those of any other nation, was safe. The General Treaty of
1820 with the Arab tribes of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the due observance of which on
the part of these tribes was insisted upon by the constant surveillance and un
remitting vigilance of the British authorities in the Gulf, ensured the attain
ment of the main object which the British Government then had in view,
namely, the entire suppression of piracy and consequent security to the trade
and traders of all nations. The enterprise and resources of the piratical
tribes were thus directed into a legitimate channel, and it being desired to
prevent the occurrence of any accidents among tlie tribes themselves which,
from affording an opening and pretext to the evil disposed, might degenerate
into piracy, the Chiefs were in 1835 induced to bind themselves by a maritime
truce not under any circumstances to engage in hostilities by sea for a period
of six months, on the understanding that the British Government would not
interfere with their wars by land. The advantages of this truce were apparent
to all concerned, and it was again and again renewed, until, in 1853 , the
treaty of perpetual peace at sea was concluded. The due observance of this
treaty has always been strictly insisted upon, and it is to this fact that the
entire cessation of piracies in the southern and eastern waters of the Gulf is mainly
to be attributed.
4 i. The conclusion of this treaty and the opportunities which have been
taken to enforce obedience to it have given the Resident a position of para
mount influence over the Trucial Chiefs. Any infractions of the ^maritime
peace have always been promptly punished, and the consequence is that of
recent years the peace at sea has been very rarely disturbed, the last occasion
which I have been able to trace having occurred in 1892 when a fine was
levied from the Chief of Debaye for sending an armed boat to assist the Chief
of Ajman.
5. In the internal disputes of the Trucial Chiefs it has never been the
custom of the Resident to interfere, neither has the Resident interfered in the
matter of successions to the Chiefships. In 1883 , the present Chief of Shargah
usurped the Chiefship, and the Resident, although appealed to for “ advice
and instructions ” by the Chief who had been deposed from power, declined to
interfere, and instructed the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent not to interfere in party matters.
More recently, in 1900 , the Chief of Ajman was killed by his uncle, Abdul
Aziz, who proclaimed himself Chief. The succession of Abdul Aziz was
generally accepted and he subsequently wrote to me asking for the recognition