"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص عن شؤون قطر، ١٨٧٣-١٩٠٤." [و‎‎٩] (٩٢/١٧)

^ f With regard to the assertion that the Beni Hajir were acting in co-operation with Tur
kish authority ^ merely for the purpose of chastising a rebel tribe, it will be observed that this
statement is built on a previous misrepresentation. But the facts also were otherwise. It
was a notorious; undisguised fact, that the primary object of the Beni Rajir was, as on former
occasions, the attack and plunder of Bahrein. Else why should they have seized boats and
put to sea and plundered Bahrein craft ? It is somewhat surprising that Turkish authori-
ties should go so far as to avow a participation in the predatory acts of a thievish horde guilty
of at least one act of open piracy on the seas. 1 "
That in reality the Beni Hajir were instiorated by local Agents of Turkey to attempt
Bahrein and failing that to attack Zobarah seems quite clear, but it was probably not at first
contemplated to avow these proceedings openly.
e( The actual part taken by the Chief of Bahrein in the crisis is fully detailed in my reports
noted in the margin and accompaniments. I have
ri ? 0 » O '+i 03 |" 2 ? 9 'i 1159 " 2 j 5 -, aI1 u n ^ 2 " 242 ' no reason to think Sheik Esau interfered further
dated 3rd and llth September and 10th and ITth +1, ^ ^ j t \ • i c i. • 1 •
October 1874. than therein reported. Denial of his having count
enanced the Nairn would be equally out of place
with admission of his culpability as towards Turkey.
' f It is possible the Turkish Government when fully aware of the true state of the case
may not be as anxious as the Pasha of Baghdad to assume the responsibility which must attach
to an avowal of having instigated the proceedings of the Beni Hajir, but if the latter are the
acknowledged Agents and dependents of the Turkish Government, and have avowedly acted
under its instructions, I would respectfully urge that the Turkish authorities should be held to
account for the robberies the Beni Hajir have already committed, and for any predatory acts
they may commit on the seas in the future.
u i would also take leave to point out that the presence of Nasir bin Mobarik on the sea
coast as a protege of the Turkish authorities is a standing menace to the existing Government
of Bahrein. That individual has been considered by the British Government as a pirate and
enemy, and it would perhaps not be thought unreasonable to demand that he should be
restrained from acting against interests which the British Government is concerned with.
u The chief cause of embarrassment as regards the maintenance of peace and neutrality
by sea between Bahrein and Katar lies in the present uncertainty as to the question with whom
responsibility rests. The various mainland Sheikhs may shelter themselves under Turkish
protection whilst the latter power has not formally assumed Government duties. Were the
responsibilities more decidedly fixed the constant inconvenient anxiety about Bahrein would
disappear."
22. On the same date Colonel Hoss reported to Government (No. 1433-306,
Political A, February 1875, Proceedings No. 323, December 1874) the reply of
the Chief of Bahrein to the communica
tion of Government of India's telegram of 10 th December, in which he stated
that the object of his sending help to Zobarah was to defend his own island,
not to encroach on his neighbours, and intimated his readiness to he guided by
the policy of Government.
23. Colonel Ross reported on 3rd April 1875 (No. 407-107) that the Chief of
1875. Bahrein persisted in declaring the whole
-p , . ,, - 0 _ c XT oor of Katar to be subject and tributary to
Political A, May 1875, Nos. 35i-366. -n i • x i « i i , - kt
Bahrein. In paragraph 2 of letter No.
Political a . May W6, No. 363. 1342-P., dated 10th May 1875. Colonel
Ross was directed to inform the Chief that:—
" His Excellency in Council observes with regret that the Chief still manifests a disposition
to entangle himself in the affairs of the mainland of Katar. He should now be made clearly
to understand that if he persists in a course opposed to the advice of the Government of India
and is thereby involved in complications on the mainland, the consequences will be upon himself,
and that the British Government will hold themselves free to take such measures with respect
to him as they may think necessary."
24. The purport of this letter was conveyed to the Chief by Lieutenant
Eraser, Political Assistant, in person. In reply, the Chief stated that he under
stood ^ "the orders of Government to prohibit interference on the mainland and
especially at Zobarah." He added that he had obeyed the order—
" The reason of our not interfering in the affairs of Zobarah at this time is simply obedience
to the orders of Government, not that our rights have become invalid or extinct/'
At the same time he sent his brother to make the following 1 requests to
Colonel Ross
"1. That the evacuation of Zobarah should be delayed till after the pearl fishery season, as
during this time all the trustworthy adherents of the Sheikh were absent, and the island was.