Page 30 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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operation must depend the means of obtaming the
positive necessaries of life and those triflingluxurics
desirable to an Aral). It is needless to observe
how materially their own condition, and, by nn
easily deduced corollary, the safety of tho Gulf,
might bo affected by the failure of a single
season. Hence the anxiety and care attended
with great expense which has been devoted by
our Government to the maintenance of perfect
tranquillity and security on the pearl banks.”
In his report dated April 18G3 on the tribes of
the Persian Gulf, Colonel Pcllv, who was for
many years British Resident, wrote as follows:—
“ The settlements of these tribes are mainly
dependent for subsistence upon the proceeds of
their pearl-divings; they possess little territory.
As to the pearl banks, these are held in common
by the tribes, and thousands of boats collect
there during the diving season to keep tho ponce.
............... Men must export what they can pro­
duce or spare, or else they .must go without
imports; if men situate like these A mbs do not
export salt-fish and poarls, they must either turn
pirates or starve.”
In a Durbar, held at Shurgah in November AiUlrt*** .»f du-
Vicc-riiy al |nil»lk*
1003, the Viceroy addressed the Chiefs as Ihirbar hold at
follows:— Slmigah,
Nmvnilier 21.
“ Chiefs,—Out of the relations that were thus
created, and which, by your own consent, con­
stituted the British Government the guardian
of intertribal peace, there grew up political ties
betweeu the Government of India and yourselves,
whereby flic British Government became your
overlords and protectors, and you have relations
with no other Power. Every one of the States,
known as the Trucial States has l ound itself, as
you know, not to enter into any Agreement or
correspondence with any other Power, not to
admit the Agent of any other Government, and
not to part with any portion of its territories.
These engagements are binding on every one of
you, and you have faithfully adhered to them.
•They are also binding in their reciprocal effect
upon the British Government, ond as long as
they are faithfully observed by the Chiefs there
is no fear that any one will be allowed to tamper
with your rights or liberties.
“ Sometimes I think that the record of the
past is in danger of being forgotten, and there
persons who ask, why should Great Britain