Page 39 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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obdurate, and a naval demonstration took place.
1905. A Memorandum of demands — including pay­
Admiralty, ment uf a lino, the banishment of certain
April 1, 1 '.>06. individuals, the formation of a guard for the
India Office, ... ... , r A
Octok-i 20, 1905. bazaar, and an admission that sukhra, or lorcca
labour, should not be imposed on foreigners—was
presented to the Sheikh, and acceptance of it was
enforced.
100-1. ’On the 27th July, 1901, the French Ambassador
Memorandum communicated a private Memorandum to Lord
communicated by
M. Gambon, Lansdowne, suggesting that, as French citizens
July 27, 1901. had established themselves at Bahrein for the
purpose of pearl-fishing, the jurisdiction of the
French Vice-Consul at Bushire should be ex­
tended Lo that island.
India Offico. The India Onice were disposed to agree to
August 31, 1904.
the proposal, provided the French Vice-Consul
addressed his representations to the British
India Offico, Political Agent. On this point the Government
Scptcuibur 8, 1904.
of India stated that they would only recogDizc
the French Vice-Consul at Bushire os Vice-
Consul for Manama (Bahrein) on the clear
understanding (1) that his exequatur be obtained
from Ilia Majesty's Government; (2) that his
dealings be with the British Political Officer
alone; (3) that be should acquire no extra­
territorial jurisdiction! The Government of India
furtlnr stated that they preferred postponement
of the question until our position as regards the
pearling banka bad been established, especially
as it had been raised in connection with the
proposed pearling enterprise of the French,
Iiiclosure iu to which the Arabs objected. The Political
Uet'ibeM^’ioOJ. Resident in the Persian Gulf stated that, subject
to the conditions suggested by the India Office,
the appointment would perhaps be a useful
recognition of our quasi British Protectorate
over Bahrein; and lie should for this reason
have recommended acceptance, if the motive
had not been the admitted desire of French
merchants to gain access to the pearl fisheries.
The Government ol‘ India were of opinion that
the best solution was to drop the question, and
this seems to have been dono.

Bahrein Customs.
Tlio administration of the Customs at Bahrein,
which is a minor centre of the arms traffic, has for
a considerable time engaged tlio anxious attention
of the Government of India.
[1098] K