"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص عن شؤون قطر، ١٨٧٣-١٩٠٤." [و‎‎٣‎٤] (٩٢/٦٧)

As will appear from his letter whicli we now enclose, we called for a report from our Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf as to the truth of the rumours that the influence of Sheikh
Ahmed was diminishing. We agree with the view expressed by Colonel Kemball; and we
would add that there is nothing in the history of our relations with the Trucial Chiefs to justify
the apprehension that we shall, by renewing our relations with the Thani family^ incur the
inconvenient obligations anticipated by His Majesty's Government.
The status jmo which His Majesty's Government desire to recognise and maintain includes
the withdrawal by Turkey of any claim to administrative control or suzerainty over the
Peninsula; and it was contemplated thati provided the Porte accepted the position and
promptly withdrew the Mudirs at Wakra and Zobarah, it might be undesirable to enter into any
agreement amounting to a Protectorate Treaty with the Sheikhs. The failure of the Turks to
act up to their assurances in this matter, coupled with the intelligence received from Colonel
Kemball as to the status of the Chief, seems to us to leave His Majesty's Government free
to cons der the matter; and we suggest that the time is jnow opportune for concluding an
agreement with Sheikh Ahmed substanlially resembling those entered into with the Chiefs
of the Southern littoral, including the provision that he should not (1) enter into relations
with, (2) receive the representative of, or (3) cede territcry to, any foreign Power. We
consider that it is desirable to consolidate such influence as we possess in Katar, with special
reference to the question of the Pearl Fisheries in the Gulf, as to which we have recently
addressed you. The Katar fisheries were extraordinarily productive in 1903.
224. The further correspondence in hand shows that when Sir N. O'Conor
made representations to the Porte, he was assured in March last by the
Minister of the Interior tSrat Sheikh Abdul Hahman is merely the head of his
tribe, and that as such he exercises a certain amount of local influence, he
does not hold the official position or title of mudir or carry out any official
duties nor does the Goyernment recognize him in any official capacity. This
assurance was considered satisfactory by Lord Lansdowne. The opinion
however of Mr. Brodrick was asked on the matter in Sir T. Sanderson' letter
dated 18th April.
225. Meanwhile under instructions from. Sir N. O'Conor, Mr. Crow
Consul at Basrah, wrote to the Vali of Basrah enquiring whether the appoint
ment of Abdul Rahman had been cancelled. The Vali replied on May, 2nd,
stating that he had again repeated his instructions to the Acting Mutasarrif of
Nejd. The Consul again wrote on May 16th to the Vali and impressed upon
him the expediency of immediate compliance with the Porte's orders. It
appears that the Vali replied on May 15th. In this reply, however, he did not
state that no answer had been received from the, Mutasarrif. The Consul
thinks that the reply is evasive and that there was ample time for the notifica
tion cancelling the appointment to issue.
226. Sir N. O'Conor wrote (June 13th), reporting that Talib Pasha Muta
sarrif had resigned his appointment on 4th June, and that Eaik Pasha, General
of the Brigade and Commandant in Nejd, had been appointed in his place.
227. deferring to Sir. T. Sanderson's letter of 18th April*—on the subject of
the Mudirate of Wakra, the Secretary of State for India fbrwarded to the Eoreign
Office, copies of the Despatch of the Government of India, No. 771 above quoted,
and also Despatch No. 63^: Secret, dated 10th March 1904i, on the subject of Pearl
^Fisheries in the Persian Gulf, and observed
It will be observed that the Government of India call special attention to the difficulties
which may arise in connection with the rights of pearl-fishing which the tribes of El Katr
possess on the coast, in the absence of any formal convention with them.
As to the position of Sheikh Ahmed bin Thani, Mr. Brodrick accepts the view of the
Government of India that his authority is sufficiently established among the tribes to justify
the conclusion of an Agreement with him, should it be thought advisable on grounds of policy.
Unless therefore Sir N. O'Conor is satisfied that the action of the Turkish Govern
ment in the matter of the Mudirate of Wakra has been such that His Majesty's Government,
having regard to what was said in your letter of 17th November last as to the maintenance of
the status quo, could not properly or consistently enter into an agreement of the kind sug
gested by the Government of India, Mr. Brodrick would recommend, for Lord Lans-
downe 's consideration, the proposal put forward by the Government of India, which would not
only secure the exclusion of foreign interference from the peninsula, but assist the Indian
authorities in maintaining control over the pearl fisheries in the Gulf.
228. Lord Lansdowne asked the opinion of Sir N. O'Conor, and sent to the
India Office, his letter No. 516, dated 28th June quoted below, inviting
attention especially to the last paragraph :—
In the first place, I do not think it is possible to justify a Convention with Sheikh
Ahmed-bin-Thani, ot El Katr, on the ground of the delay which has occurred in the can
celling of the appointment of the Mudir of Wakra. The Ottoman Government have agreed,
* See paragraph 224 ante,
f See paragraph 223 ante,
j See Bahrein preci».