Page 232 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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On the 15th October Coioncl TIcrhert
Itid ye. 165.
telegraphed:—
" Pasha* privately asks my opinion; A messenger from Turkish Qenorat at Lohaa
• Prococdiug* (Secret), Docouibor 1871, Vos. 1C4* with letters from Gtvuttut visited Bahrein.
.,
105. < Sheikh heard of, seized, and killed him. British
officers hearing this demanded letters and forwarded thorn to GwUttur. Pasha cordially
acknowledges obligation. He wishes to obtain fitting reparation from Sheikh, hut considers
to apply officially to British Government would be yielding a point as to political position
of island. Under existing circumstances, and promises recently given, ho cannot use force
against Sheikh as an Ottoman depondont, consequently contemplates sending a Commission
to demand reparation. 1 request orders.”
Colonel Herbert was informed on tho 17tli idem of Colonel Polly’s version
+ Ibid yo. 157. of tho story and directed, if possible,
Ibid yo. 161. to avoid discussion with the Pasha until
further enquiry cpuld be made; only if pressed, was ho to tell the other
version. On tho 24th October Colonel Herbert informed Government! :—
“ Midhut Pasha expects to leave Thursday, and it is probable he will make the death of
the messenger a pretext for interference at Bahrein if he receive from me no satisfactory com­
munication before he goes.”
Colonel Polly was directed to proceed to Bahrein or send his Assistant
there, and the following reply was sent to Colonel Herbert by telegraph of the
30th :—
“ Viceroy cannot suppose that Pasha, knowing views of British Government regarding
Bahrein, and explicit denial of Ottoman Government of all intention to extend supremacy,
over Bahrein, and remembering assurances given by Pasha himself, can entertain any intention
of interfering with that island. Viceroy would consider such to be a violation of instructions
believed to have been given to Pasha from Constantinople, and of the promises given by his
Government, and would not look on interference with indifference.
" Use your discretion as to expressing above views to Pasha. Inform him of Felly's ver-
sion of story.”
The Paslia had, howevor, left Baghdad for Basrah cn route ’to Nejd when
the telegram reached, and* Colonel Herbert considered that it would bo incon­
venient to make the communication through a third party. He subsequently,
however, requested the Agent at Basrah to wait upon tho Pasha on arrival
and communicate the substance of the above message.
134. The Bombay Government, on the 5th November, telegraphed :—•
.” Felly telegraphs for instructions whether action is limited to watching events. ‘In my
opinion, if, after all our representations at Constantinople and assurances at Bahreia, we con­
tent ourselves with'watching events, bur position in Gulf will be in future untenable. If
I
force sufficient, I would not hesitate to instruct Pelly to prevent any Turkish occupation, and
am confident that if this were known, not a blow would be struck. But some of the Turkish
corvettes are of modern constructioa and heavy armament, and I do not know what Lynx and
Magpie carry. In this case I should direct Pelly to visit Midhut 'Pasha on arrival, learn bis
intentions, and, stating circumstances which excuse Bahrein Chief, offer good offices; if refused,
hand him formal protest with memorandum for transmission to London and in Constantinople
to the effect that Turkish Commander from commencement of operations employed and took
into confidence Nassir-bin-Mobarck, who instigated and laid revolution in whioh ChiePs father
was assassinated. The present Chief having been placed on throno by our intervention, and
Nassir compelled to fly, it was inconsistent with friendly relations with this country to employ
and protect a men who had fled from punishment at our hand; that Nassir having employed
the man who murdered Chief's father to carry letters to tribes with whom we havo treated,
mettsenger had no claim to protection as an Envoy from private person, and has justly met
punishment of crime. If Bahrein Chief had acted hostilely or without considering Turkwh
dignity, it resulted from employment of Mobarek; and if Turkish Commander proceeded to
act hostilely, Colonel Pelly was instructed to protest, and denounce his conduct as inconsistent
with friendly relations of two Governments. Exaot protest may bo safely left to Pelly, but
it should be formal, full, and prpeise. ' Instructions awaited. 1 think squadron should be rein­
forced Bullfinch heroNimble Aden.”
Colonel Pelly was directed to make precisely the same representations to
the Pasha as that contained in tho telegram of tho 30th October to Colonel
Herbert, and the Secretary of State was informed on the 8th by telegraph of tlio
whole proceedings up to date, and requested
i ... i,**?5f^irnove1 Ottoman Porte instantly to send by telegram most absolute . °
Midhut Pasha and his officers to abstain from any active or armed interference in Bahrein,