Page 42 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

5 Records of Bahrain
. 32

BNCL0SU1USS.

No. 1.
India Ollicc to Foreign Office.
I India Office,
Sir, 24th November 1898.
l I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward, for
tho consideration of the Marquess of Salisbury, copies of a letter No. 194
(Foreign, Secret), dated tho 27th of October last, with its enclosures,
received from (ho Government of India, on tho subject of Bahrein affairs.
! 2. On tho 22nd of December 1S80 tho Chief of Bahrain bound himself
and his successors by an engagement to abstain from entering into
negotiations or making treaties with any Government other than tho
British without the conscut of tho British Government, and to rofuso
permission to any but the British Government to establish consular
agencies or coaliug depdts in Bahrein savo with tho consent of the
British Government. Tho Chief is, therefore, to a considerable oxteut
already under tho protection of the Government of India, and lie seems
anxious to provide for a peaceful succession by obtaining the formal
recognition of the Government of India to the succession of his sou
Sheikh Hamid. I am to say that Lord George Hamilton is disposed,
if the Marquess of Salisbury sees no objection, to authorise the
Government of India to accede to his wishes.
3. Tho Government of India arc awaiting from Colonel Meade a
roport on tho subject of tho conduct of thoir present Agent at Bahrein
in connection with the arms traffic and tho depot established by Messrs.
Fracis Times on the island. On receipt of that roport tho question of
establishing at Bahrein an Assistant Political Agent can be further
considered. Meanwhile it is proposed, whenever tbo succession is
recognised, to offer to the Sheikh tho loan of a British officer to manage
his customs, and, if the offer is accepted, it may bo possible to employ
him as Political Agent. In any case the necessity for making bolter,
arrangements than those now in force for tho conduct of the British
political duties at Bahrein will not be overlooked.
I am, &c.,
The Under Secretary of State, A. Godluy.
Foroign Office.

No. 2.
Foroign Office to India Office.
i
Foroign Office,
j Sir, 9th December 1898.
_ . I havo laid before the Marquess of Salisbury your letter of tie
,. ouoloaiug a Despatch from tho Government of India on tno
subject of affairs in Bahrein, from which it appears that the Chief is
anxious to provide for a peaceful succession by obtaining the forma
Sheilli lla °d ^ovommon^ °* India to the succession of bis sou
a*?i 8^° ^Q<t Lord Salisbury sees no objection to Lord
i amnion 8 proposal to authorise the Indian Government to accc( e
tlio Chiefs wishes.
I am, &c*j^ sanjjehson.
The Under Secretary of Stnto
for India.