Page 357 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

Turkish interests and Persian claims, 1906-1909 347

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tlio idea ovcntually ondod in fiasco. (Tho nature of tlio circumstances in which this
appeal to Persia was mado is outlined in Wliighaui’s “ Persian Problem,” pp. 32-34.)
Tlio Priiuo Minister, indeed, showed clearly that ho only told tho story to indicate how
absurd in his eves tho Persian claims were, and suggested that if I encountered further
resistance from’ tho Minister for Foreign A flairs I should ask his Excellency what lie
would do if a Persian subject got into difficulties in Bahrein; surely then ho would
havo to ask for British assistance.
I mentioned this conversation to Mushir-cd-Dowloh when I saw him on the 21st
instant, and his Excellency replied that., whatever Nizam-cs-Sultanch may havo said
to me, he had talked in quite a different strain at the Council of Ministers, when ho
had strongly upheld tlio Persian.claim, and when T rejoined that Mr. Churchill had
been present at tho interview the Minister oxclaimed : “(,/a, e’est bieu ; Nizam-es-
Sultanch, on no peut jamais croirc ii cc qu'il ditl”
Mushii’-cd-Bowlch said ho was still preparing his roply, to which I rejoined that
I thought lie would ho wasting his tiino, as no citing of isolated incidents such as that
related by Nizam-cs-Sultanch could possibly woigli against a series of recorded Treaties
between Ill’s Majesty’s Government and tho Chiefs of Bahrein.
As rogards tho incasuros to bo taken to ouforcc complianco with our wishes, 1
ventured to suggest tho occupation of Hormuz or Kais primarily cu tho ground that
it is in the interests of our prostigo with tho protected Chiefs in tho Gulf that we are
now demanding tho recognition of our right to protect Bahreineso from tho Persian
Government, and that local action, if necessary, appears to me best calculated to
produce this effect. Hormuz Island appears to mo to bo profcrablo to any other, as
being so closo to Builder Abbns that tho mniy Bahveinoso who frequont that port
I must carry tho nows of our energetic action on their bolialf to thoir own couutry, and
lor the sumo reason tho maximum improssion would bo produced on tho local autho­
rities. It is also possiblo that a proof of our readiness to protect our friends may
induce Muin-ct-Tujjar to sco tho wisdom of coming to terms with Messrs. Ellinger.
Bailing Hormuz, I su^gestod Kais Island as there has recently been a disngrcc-
nblo incidont thoro for which 1 havo not yet obtained moro than a formal apology,
when shots were tired on a boat conveying the assistant of tho Agency of Lingali,
who was proceeding to tho island to investigato tho griovancos of somo British Indians
resident there.
I havo little doubt but that a formal throat to employ forco will induco the
Persian Government to givo way.
I havo, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES M. MARLING.

Jnclosuro 1 in No. 1.
Mr. Marling to Mushir-cd’Dowleh.
Your Excolloncy, Tehran, March 30, 1908.
I HAVE tho honour to inform your Excolleno.y that, according to a report rccontlv
received from tho British Agent at Lingak, a Bahroin subject has been flogged,
imprisoued, and otherwise molested by tho Doputy Governor of that town, who,'
moreover, declined to accept tho intervention of tlio said British Ageut.
I havo to remind your Excolloncy that by a note dated 19th February, 190G,
His Majesty's Clinrgd d’Affaircs, acting under tho instructions of his Government,
informed tho Imperial Persian Govornmont that His Britannio Majesty’s Government
considor tho island of Bahrein and its inhabitants to bo uuder British protection, and
I kayo now rccoivcd further instructions from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs to draw your Excolloncy's attention to this case, and to
protest against tho arbitrary action of tho Govornor of Lingali'iu puuisking a British-
.^teotod subject of Bahroin aud iu refusiug to admit tho good offices of tho British
. ' • I liavo, &o. ,
(Signod) CHARLES M. MARLING.
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