Page 21 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

Zubarah: rclatioiis with Qatar, 1895-1896 11
86

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Occupation of Zobarah by Al-bin-Ali tribe with support of the Turks
and Sheikh Jasim. Threatened attack on Bahrein, Energetic
measures taken in expelling the settlement, 1895.

314, Information was received in the month of May 1895 from the Po­
litical Resident in the Persian Gulf that
Secret H., October 1895, No>. 64.155-
the Al-bin-A'Ii tribe under Sheikh Sultan-
bin-Salema had deserted from the Chief of Bahrein, to whom they were subject,
and were forming a settlement on the opposite coast at Zobarah, with the support
of Sheikh Jasim of Bidaa. This support was considered to be a menace to
Bahrein.
315. A warning was addressed to Sheikh Jasim that this would not be allowed.
The Resident reported, however, that a Turkish official, the Mutassarif of
Hasa, had gone to Zobarah, and that the settlement was being pushed on,
Sheikh Jasim acting in concert with the Mutassarif, who was preparing to hoist
the Turkish flag.
316. On report of the facts to the India Office, Her Majesty's Ambassa­
dor at Constantinople was instructed to call the attention of the Turkish Gov­
ernment to the matter, and to state that the formation of a settlement at
Zobarah would constitute a menace to Bahrein and that if the proceedings
complained of were allowed to continue, the Government of India would be
compelled to take measures for the protection of the Chief of that island.
317. After the lapse of sufficient interval Her Majesty's ship Sphinx
commanded by Captain Pelley proceeded to Zobarah and desired Sheikh Sultan
to return with his tribe to Bahrein. The Sheikh absolutely refused to comply
with this order, and seven of the boats were therefore seized. A Turkish offi­
cial, appointed the Mudir of Zobarah by the Porte, protested generally, claim­
ing Zobarah as Turkish territory, and the Al-bin-Ali as having come under
Turkish protection.
318. On the 15th July Her Majesty’s ship Sphinx seized nine boats,
together with Salim, an important Al-bin-Ali, who had become reconciled with
the Bahrein Chief, but the Bahrein boats sent for Salim’s family were detained
by the new Turkish Mudir at Zobarah.
319. The Resident subsequently reported that the Al-bin-Ali had become
reconciled with the Chief of Bahrein, but the Mudir was interfering, that he
claimed the Al-bin-Ali tribe settled at Zobarah, as Turkish subjects and declar­
ed Bahrein unconditionally, and Katar in part, as within the Ottoman
dominions.
The Resident further reported that the Mutassarif had collected a force at
Katif, and that, although he stated that it was for the purpose of an expedition
into Nejd, apprehensions were felt that an attack on Bahrein was in contempla­
tion. These apprehensions were strengthened by the fact that Sheikh Jasim
had collected a large number of boats. The Turkish boat Zuhaf was also found
cruising along the Katar coast.
320. In these circumstances the Government of India proposed (18th
Pro. No. 134 of Secret e., October 1895, Nos. 64- August) that a demonstration against Bah-
'»• t j .. , , rei” miSht be resisted by fire, if the Com-
mander first satisfied himself that the fleet advancing was hostile, and that
if it came under Turkish colours explanations must be demanded and if not
satisfactory, warning should be given that an advance within 3 miles would be
Pro. No. 136 of Secret e., October 189s No* resisted by fire. The Secretary of State
approved of these proposals.
321. The Pigeon was ordered to Bahrein on 17th August and arrangements
n°i. 133 to 1380! Sociti e., October 1896, Nos. were also made for despatching a regiment
or wing of native infantry from Bombay