Page 27 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

Persian and Turkish claims to Bahrain, 1870-1874 353

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:V..- . /coocCAl. from the Dukfe''of-^Argyll ln*9 opinion that
the statements which the Persian Minister has laid
before him in regard to Colonel Polly's proceedings
nrc;calculated to produce U very painful impression,
which has not'in anyway been modified by the
official reports of the transaction received from the
India Office and the Admiralty, which disclose
proceedings of a very high-handed character, such
as might under any circumstances have called for
explanations, and do so more especially in the
present instance, looking to the communications
which have lately passed with Persia in regard to
Bahrein ; the expectations as to our course of policy
in that country that we have held out to the Shah’s
Government; and to the very great importance at
the present time, not only as regards India but
Imperial interests, of refraining from any course of
action calculated to indispose Persia to this country.
Lord Clarendon does not dispute the necessity of
order being maintained in the Persian Gulf by the
Indian Government, but he considers that this
might be done in a manner lcs9 calculated' to give
offence.”
India Oir.ee, March 23, 1870. A few days later, the India Office forwarded
to this Office another long series of despatches
from India respecting the proceedings of Colonel
Pclly at the Island of Bahrein. The India Govern­
ment pointed out that it would be seen that the
Shah of Persia had no legitimate control over the
Sheikh of Bahrein ; but that his Government, had,
nevertheless, encouraged the piratical faction of the
Persian Gulf, proof of which was to be found in
certain letters which had been intercepted by
Colonel Pclly, and they therefore, expressed an
opinion, which was shared in by the Duke of Argyll,
that, so far from the Shah having any just cause
of complaint against Colonel. Pclly, the Persian
Government should be called upon to give some
explanation of the conduct of its oriccrs in
encouraging a piratical expedition, which was
prejudicial to British interests in-the Persian Gulf.
These despatches- went fully’-into tho question
i •
- of the independence of Bahrein, and of the circum­
stances connected* with, the'allegod complicity of
•: • the Shah's’ Government :in;the,’act8 of tho: piratical
•i
footion'in thc Gulf;; andthefoj lowing ;s;an abstract
ii which1 was made, of thom5at:.tho time. • ’
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