Page 216 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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pointmeut of Kaimakan in virtue of an imperial firman, and therefore entitled to be supported
by the Government against thoso who attack him. Your Excellency, said All Pasha, may give
the most positive assurances to ller Majesty’s Government that the Porte entertains no intention
whatever of obtaining the supremacy over Bahrein, Muscat, or the independent tribes of South
Arabia, and does not contemplate any attack upon them or harbour any design to subdue them.
Be asserts that the true and sole object of the present enterprise is to pacify the two brothers,
to prevent the protraction of disorder, and to restore tranquillity.”
11, Midhut Pasha confirms assurances- of Porte.

68. On receipt of the above assurances from the Porte, Colonel Herbert
was directed on'the 17th May to take an
8eeret I., 1871, Noj. 681-685 (No. 61#)-
early opportunity, without seeking a formal
interview with Midhut Pasha, of expressing casually to him the satisfaction of
the British Government at the communication from tho Porte. This he did
and informed Government that the Pasha explicitly couGrmed the assurances
of the Porte.
12- Instructions to Colonel Pelly.

69. The receipt of the above assurances from the Porte enabled Govern­
ment to give the much required instruc­
Ibid No. 645.
tions to Colonel Pelly. Ho was directed,
in a letter dated 17th May to the Bombay Government, to communicate the
substance of Sir H. Elliot’s message to the Chief of Bahrein and those of the
trucial Chiefs who had made enquiries regarding the object of the Turkish
expedition. With regard to the general questions put by Colonel Pelly it was
said:
u he should be informed that it is impossible for His Excellency in Council to give instructions
regarding contingencies of the occurrence of which there is no immediate prospect. Tbe Tnrkish
expedition, however, in no way affectsi;he Treaty rights and obligations either of the British
Government or of the Chiefs who have subscribed the maritime peace. Colonel Pelly may'
so inform- the Chiefs who have consulted him, nnd should use all legitimate means to maintain
tho stipulations of the Treaties."

Report to Secretary of State with views of Government.

70. On the'23rd May'Government forwarded to the Secretary of State all
the papers received up to date regarding events in Nejd and the expedition,
and after a resume of tho correspondence that had taken place, observed ;—
“Although the assurances so explicitly given by 'the 'Turkish Government may for the
present allay any immediate apprehensions,-we think it not improbable that the expedition to
Nejd may, from the force of circumstances, assume more serious proportions than the Porte at
present contemplate.
** beg to draw the attention of Your Grace to the latest letters on the subject received
from the Political Agent at Bagdad. These papers- show .fifoe difficulties which the "Turks are
likely to encounter, and ithc complications -that may arise from :tho prosecution of their
enterprise. It is, therefore,.highly desirable, both in.the interest.of the Porte-and -the peace
of the Persian Gulf, that the expedition, should be stopped, and if that is, as .we fear, no longer
feasible, that the Government of .the Porte, should be advised to limit-its :proportions os much
as possible/'
71. A brief exposition of the British policy, as described in paragraph 69
of thJPrdcis, was placed before the Secretary of State, with,a request that the
Government of India.might be-favored with ithe views of Her Majesty’s Gov­
ernment on the subject.

Colonel Pelly directed to proceed to Bahrien.
72.-Colonel Pelly on the 25th.May.reported .that tho commercial classes
Secret i, N<*. 808-840 (No. 810). ‘"ew 'disturbed and anxious, -and that
the pearl season would 'be lost. He en­
quired .whether tribes who are parties'to the maritime truce were to be allowed