Page 81 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

Anglo-Turkish rivalry, 1880 407
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CHAPTER XXIV.

(1) Intention of the Turks to establish a coal depot at Bahrein, (2)
agreement signed by Chief of Bahrein not to have dealings with
foreign powers, or allow establishment of their agencies or coal
depots, 1880.
252. The year 1S80, is marked by an important event in the political history
o( Bahrein. In December 1880, Sheikh Esau signed an agreement, by which lie
bound himself, to not to have any dealings with foreign powers without the consent
of the British Government, and not to allow the establishment of their agencies
or coal depots in his territory. VVt shall trace the genesis of this very important
treaty.
253. There was at this time remarkable activity on the part of the Turks
in the Persian Gulf. There were in June
Political A, Soptomber 1879, N01. 35»*3S<>.
1870 rumours of an alleged intention of
theirs to establish a coal depot at Bahrein. In November 1880 Turkish
vessels were at Bahrein and the Captain
Political A, April l83o, Ho*. 269-270. *
of one of them gave out that. Bahrein was
Turkish territory. Other foreign powers also were extending their commercial
activities in the Persian Gulf and Bahrein would be the objective of almost all
of them as an important trading centre. To secure therefore the island from the
political cupidity of some of the more ambitious of them and to maintain the
British political influence there was very desirable.* Colonel Ross therefore took
upon himself to negotiate and conclude an agreement with the Chief of Bahrein
with a view to this object, though he had not been previously authorized to
proceed on this business. We shall read his {own report on his proceedings
(No. 252, dated 24th December 1880) :—
Political A, March 1881, Nos. 15*ao.
“ There lias, ns you arc aware, been recently some'reason to suppose that the authorities
of the Turkish Government desired to obtain a certain influence in Bahrein by establishing
an agency, which should at first and ostensibly be under the form of a coal dopot. It has
' been the settled policy of the Government of India in maintenance of the political rela­
tions subsisting with Bahrein to exclude the interference of other foreign Powers in the
affairs of these islands, and the Chief of Bahrein has been desired to avoid direct communi­
cation on political matters with the Turkish Government, and to decline to give permission
for the establishment at Bahrein of a coal depot by that Power.
2. It is further the oasc that the attention of other Powers has been to some extent
directed to the trade, &c., of tbq Pcrsian Gulf. French, American, and Japanese vessels
have been sent into these waters oh'special missions by tho respective Governments, aud
other Powers have representatives in the neighbourhood.
3. It is somewhat embarrassing for a ruler, situated like the Chief of Bahrein, to
decline to allow the establishment of agencies or coal depots without being able to point
to some formal engagement preventing.
4. It has appeared to me, therefore, that to formalize the actually existing under­
standing with the Chief of Bahrein-by obtaining a distinct agreement from him would not
only he a proper precaution for the adoption of which the time has come, but would also
be convenient and advantageous to the Chief himself by furnishing him with a reason for
declining the overtures of other foreign Powers which would be unanswerable and need
give no olTrnco. During a visit 1 have just paid to Bahrein 1 conversed with Sheikh
Esau on this subject, and found that lie look this view and was quite willing to accede to
my suggestion. 1 accordingly look,Ins signature to the agreement, which 1 now enclose
in original, Arabic and English translation in duplicate.
5. You will 6cc that 1 have made the conclusion of this agreement subject to the
pleasure of Mis Excellency tho Viceroy aud Go^Hmor-Gencral in Council, and 1 have not
left any copy of it with the Chief of Bahrein, or any writing on the subject, so that if any
objection should exist to its acceptance, it will be sufficient to signify the same to me. If
the Government approve of it, I respectfully request that one copy of the Arabic document
may be returned to me with the ratification endorsed on it for transmission to the Chief of
Bahrein ",
•* Wi/c Append'd lf.