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128                       Records oj Bahrain
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                                    i. 1" JUL 99''
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                                               m
                                       ■A OEPtgi
                                             No. 75, doted Bushiro/tho 28th May 1899 (Sccrot & Coufulehtial).
                                          From—Lieutenant-Colonel M. J. Meade, Political Resident in tho Persian Gulf,
                                          To—Tho Secretory to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
                                      ,Iu continuation of a secret telegram I am sending you to-day, I have tho
                                   honour to submit, for tho information of tho Govornmout of India, a further
                                   report on the activity of foreign agents in tho Porsinn Gulf.
                                       2.  One of tho two Prcnchracn, who have visited Maskat, has gono to
                               V7 Bahrein. His name is Goguyor, and his Assistant, named Elbay, remains at
                                /NMuskat. M. Goguyor was received by Muhammad Ahdul Wahab, who is,a.
                                / Turkish subject, and who has, for some lime, had a very pernicious influence
                                   over Sheikh Isa. Muhammad Abdul "VValiab gavo Goguyer a house,. and
                                   arranged that lie should moet the Sheikh, and have every facility for enquiring’
                                   into the trade of tho place.
                                       3.  It is said that Goguyer informed various persons at Bahroiu that they
                                   could easily obtain French protection, and that, for a small sum, ho would
                                   give them certificates of naturalization. This report has not been confirmed,
                                   and, uutil it is, I am doubtful if M. Goguyer would lmvo ventured to make
                                   such a statement. I am enquiring into tho truth of the rumour and will
                                   report the result.
                                      4.  In connection with this point, I woujd, however, remind tho Govern­
                                   ment of India that tho French have for-some time been endeavouring to gain
                                   subjects and protdgds, and that the state of "tho population of Bahrein is
                               / favourable to such attempts, as there aro many Arabs and others living thoro,
                                   who do not profess to bo subjects of the Sheikh, and who might consider
                                   themselves at liberty to take any nationality they please.
                                       5.  It i3 said that M. Goguyer intends visitiug Katr and Bushire, and
                                   his objects, as far as is known up to tho present, are commercial. It is pro-
                                   bablo, howoYor, that he is to somo extont supported by his Government, or, at
                             \i    any rate, by tho French Consular authorities at Maskat and Bushire, and that
                                   he will endeavour to advance French political interests, as well as his own
                                   commercial ones. Ho is said to bo interested in tho arms traffic, and it is
                                   likely that the Frcnoh name and flag will be employed to bring arms to tho
                                   Persian Gulf. At Bahrein they can, of courso, do nothing, ns tho Sheikh has
                                   agreed not to permit tho importation of arms into tho islands, but ho may
                                   succeed in establishing arms dopdts elsewhere.
                                      6.  I will collect all tho information I can on tho subject, and report
                                   again as soon as I can suggest what steps should bo taken to stop the  arms
                                   trade if started under French protection. A copy of your telegram of tho
                                   21st instant was 6ent to Major Fagan, who will no doubt report shortly how
                                   matters are at Maskat.
                                      7.  I hoar on good authority that thi^JjA^^ons aro   now at Bunder
                                   Abbas, one of whom wears European costume, while the other two aro m
                                   Arab dress. I am endeavouring to obtain dofinito information as to tboir
                                   names, objects, &c., and will let you know in duo courso.
                                      8.  A German is reported to have visited Kowoit, and to bo there now.
                                   It is said that he wantod to get concessions from tho Sheikh, who, however,
                                 . declined to listen to him. I am making enquiries as to this man's objects,
                                   and-what has really occurred at ICowoit.
                                      9.  Colonel Loch has informed mo that tho Russian Consul at Baghdad
                                   has, for somo time back, beon employing two Russian Armenians, ono Arton,
                                   and his brother Stophen, in collecting information about Kowoit, and that ono
                                   of them is to go thero shortly. Oolonol Loch has arranged to send nio oar y
                                   information when tho man actually starts.
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