Page 92 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

418 Records of Bahrain

I am unable to report to Your Lordship why the Shah has suddenly
revived the question. It may bo merely a curious coincidence, hut some little
time ago I ho first dragoman of the Russian Legation questioned me as to the
position of the island in regard to Persia and England ; and asked whether no
had not completely anucxed it. I feel fairly confident that the Shah would not
spontaneously have raised the question, especially as it seems to mo to have
been very imperfectly studied, though with what object he may have been
prompted to do so is as yet unknown to me.
I had the honor to telegraph the substance of the above to Your Lordship
to-day.

Enclusuru to letter from Secretary, Political nml Secret Depart incut, No. 2S3, dated llie
8lli October 18311.
Extract from slsia Confidential Print Xo. 3oG.
No. 2.
No. ISM, dated Teheran, the 27 th Sept outlier IS80.
From—A Nicui.su.v, Kkij., Charge d'affaires at Teheran,
To—Tin; Kaki. or Iduksi.kiou, U.C.li , Secretary of Slate for Foreign Affair*.
The Shuh 1ms asked nit* to convey bis wish to establish his authority
effectually over Bahrain, either by sending a Governor, or possibly by insti­
tuting Sheikh as representative of Persian authority.
Maritime police he would wish t> continue in hands of British naval
forces. His Majesty considers that Foreign Ollice letter to Persian Minister
at London of the 29>h April 1809, recognizes his sovereignty over the island.
I said that I would communicate wish but expressed no opinion.
(Confidential.)
Reference, to Bahrain was made to me casually by Russian First
Dragoman some time ago, and I am inclined4o think that proposal is inspired
from that quarter.
(Sent to India,)

No. 153, dated the 22ud December 1886.
From—A. Nice (.son, Kfij., Her Mnjcdty’s Cbnrgd d'Affairea at Teheran,
To—The Karl or Iduksmucii. (J.C.U., Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
With reference to my despatch No. 141 of the 1st instant, I have the
honor to state that, at a recent interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
His Highness asked me whether any reply had been received from Her
Majesty's Government in regard to the wish of the Shuh to establish bis
authority over Bahrain.
I, therefore, communicated the substance of Your Lordship’s telegram
No. .08, and also subsequently wrote a private note embodying Your L rd-
sliip’s message so that there might bo no misunderstanding.
His Highness remarked that His Majesty would bo much disappointed
at the tenour of the reply, us be bad hoped we should have taken the oppor­
tunity to give His Majesty a strikiug proof of our friendly sentiments.
I* said that there, was no need for His Majesty to liuvo any doubts on
this point, but that it was impossible to violate treaty engagements, or to
hand over territory which did not belong to us, and to which the claims of
Persia wore of the most shadowy character. Yhe friendly feelings of Her
Majesty’s Government to the Slmh had been exhibited on several occasions,
and there were no reasons whatever for His Majesty to be uneasy on that
score.
(Copy sent to India and India Office).
'I