"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص عن شؤون قطر، ١٨٧٣-١٩٠٤." [ظ‎‎٣‎٠] (٩٢/٦٠)

50
to raalfe further enquiries as to the actual position occupied in Katar hj Sheikh Ahmed, His
brother Shf-ikh Jasim is the actual Chief so far as the tribes are concerned, but so far as the
dealings with the Turks are concerned, he has retired in favour of Sheikh Ahmed. Sheikh
Jasimis over 80 years of age, and before any arrangement is made with Sheikh Ahmed it
will be necessary to find out more about his position and how the succession to the Chiefshin
Will devolve OH Sheikh Jasim's death. Again, the question of the choice of residence in Katai-
by the Lhiet with whom we enter into the arrangement will have to be considered. The pro
bability is that some other place than Zobarah on the opposite Coast of Katar will be found to
be more suitable, on account of the proximity of the pearling banks. I would, therefore ask
that this letter may be consiiered merely asanas report submitted for the purpose
o informing the Government of India of the wish expressed by Sheikh Ahmed to enter infn
relations with the British Government, and I would solicit the'instructions of Government
to what action I should take. Meanwhile, I have told the Assistant Political Ao-ent thai
there is no objection to his meeting Sheikh Ahmed should the latter visit Bahrein a^ h«
talks o. doing shortly for the purpose of seeing Sheikh Esa, and hearing what ho has to say
Without, however, making him any promise or offering him any encouragement whatever
In conclusion, I would beg to remark that the reference made by Sheikh Ahmed in hi«
message to Mr. Gaskin regarding his readiness to co-operate in mattes on thrmainland
probably lefers to the murder of Sheikh Salman-bm-Diaij, the cousin of the Sheikh of
Bahrein, and his followers. There is little doubt that, if Sheikh Ahmed were assured of our
piotection, he could arrange to bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime."
192 The Government of India submitted Colonel Kemball's proposal for
ordei-s^Despatch No. 113, dated 10th July 1902) with the following observa-
" As Your Lordship is aware, the Turks have maintained a garrison at Bidaa on fl.o
Katar coast tor over 30 years. His Majesty's Government do not, however, recoonise their
authority beyond the limits of the town, nor are Turkish pretensions allnwprl f " • \ ?
with our liberty of action in dealing direct with the Chiefs of the peninsula In thp. 6
eumstances, and having regard to the terms of the late Lord Kimherlev's Seorot tT*
Ivo. 3 d , dated the 8th September 1893, we see no objection to Colonel Kemball bein^ permuted
to institute enquiries as to the actual position of Sheikh Abmed-hio-Thani »,„1 ° ^1' ?
prove that the Sheikh is establisbod as Chief of Katar we ™ ^ sh "" ld . lt
Colonel Kemball to conclude with him an Agreement sMar to tboL P T , to t autb ? n8 «
executed with .he Trucial Chiefs of the Arab Coast S arrangem .nt wol Z bCen
involve an assurance to the Chief of protection against Turkev and ofhpr P however,
view of the presence of the Turkish garrison at Bida^ and"Hhe com£
recently arisen in connection with Turkish claims at Koweit and elsewherP wa ^ ^ I®
CX™ ^Wc making any^mmTni^'on £
l t Co iTl K T La11 o1;)Serve ^ tliere are various points which would reouira
"i'j T
BasfeS"-—*
193. On the 5th September 1S03, the Secretary of State replied that he saw
Pro. No. 66 of Secret e. may 1903, Nos. 64-87. no objection to the institution of enquiries
Thani, but that before any steps were 'taken toward" the^nclLiorot'the
proposed agreement, the question of the extension of the Brit„l, ^w / *
,m Arabia would have to be considered both from the political and fi,
r nt 0f VieW - ,rh9 - Political Eesid - t aCdTn g i; d dito 6
institute the necessary enquiries. ^ uireciea to
194. Later information received from the Political Rpsidpnt . , .
the Secretary of State on 19th January 1903, to tT effect bat 4 •
was the recognized Chief of Katar, and the Turks styled him Kaim MakamTb t!
he repudiated the title, that his brother Ahmed-bin-Thani was the'^Zffo
m « e pv aU fl WaS ^.-ied as heir to his brother, who was over 80 years ofal
His Excellency the Viceroy suggested that to prevent Turkish desio-L a l g i J
be wise to enter into an agreement, but that if His MaiWv'c r 0 ^ould
not prepared to take this step at once, which won d Srham dcnenT? 6 T®
attitude of the Turks, the Sheikh might be told th^Government i."lS 011
to wait till he succeeded later on to the Ohiefship would P refer
195. Meanwhile complications had arisen with the Tn^Vo ,. r . i -
attempt to establish certain Ottoman mudirates on the Katar const 4i" ai ai1
ment of the Porte's intentions in the matter wa^nmde in 1 ono UnCe '
paper called the " Ikdam," and the fact was repoXd by the British
# See paragraph lodanie.