Page 212 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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Expedition temporarily postponed: Enquiries made from Porte re­
garding it;
62. On tho 31st March 1871, Colonel Herbert was requested to ascertain
from tho Pasha whether any communica­
Ibid. (No*. 587 end 580.)
tion had been mado to our Minister at
Constantinople on tho subject of tho expedition. Ho replied that tho Pasha did
not know. Tho expedition had, ho said, been temporarily postponed. All tho
information regarding the expedition was telegraphed home to the Secretary of
State on tho 31st March, and ho was told:—
“ Warliko operations in any part of Gulf to bo deprecated as breach of maritimo peace,
, doslructivc to our trado, and likely to give rise to
1 * '* °’ *' complications. Her Majesty's Government should
move Minister at Constantinople to communicate with Porto, 6tato our objections, and
endeavour to stop operations by sou.”
Earlier instructions given to Colonel Pelly.
i 63. Tho Bombay Government, on tho lltli April, telographed that Colonel
Polly had reported that the belief in the
Ibid. (No. 691.)
expedition was general in Busliiro:—
“I am,” said Colonel Polly, windirectly asked whether Arabs would be forbidden aiding
Wahabis against Turks. I rc.pcctfully request instructions, and, unless specially ordcredi
should not interfere, as maritime truce uoes n< t relate to Turks. If Government wish mo to
watch proceedings, an efficient steamer would bo necessary. There is at presont no Govern­
ment vessel in Persian Gulf. I suggest that Government of India request - Political Agent,
Baghdad, to keep mo informed of expedition movement.”
64. The Bombay Government was told:—
“ In event of expedition sailing, Pelly should not interfere with proceedings of Turkish
....... .... authorities without specific orders from Govern-
‘ ‘ ment of India, to whom he should immediately
report. If Arabs take part in quarrel, ho should limit his action strictly to maintaining
maritime truce. No vessel need be sent specially to Persian Gulf. ‘Porte' understood to
have sailed yesterday.”
65. Colonel Polly enquired on the 22nd April:—
“Am I correct in understanding that Government of India desire me to use all influence
towards preventing trucial Chiefs aiding Wahabis
Ibid. (No. 699.)
against Turks, or in any way moving by 6ea ?
What reply am I to give to Trucial Chiefs if. continuing to observe maritime peace, they ask
whether wo will protect them attempting (?) from sea by Turks ? Would it not be advisable
to intimate to Turkish authority our engagement
•For rcplj to Colonel Pelly'* enquiric*—rid*
paragraph fjtf. with Trucial Chiefs, as it is suspected Turks may
have an eye on Bahrein.”*
Preparations for Expedition resumed.
66. Colonel Herbert telegraphed, on the 17th April, that preparations for
the expedition were being resumed and
Ibid. (No. 695.)
that it would leave Baghdad in a few days.
Three steam vessels had been ordered to convey six regiments and 12 guns.
One thousand Arab horses to go by land. The first portion of the force left
Baghdad on the 23rd April, and another detachment two days after.
Complications in Gulf.
67. The Bombay Government, on the .3rd May, forwarded tho following
from Colonel Pelly
Ibid. (No. 611.)
“Im3m Saud and Bahrein Chief writo’tbat Turkish Arab Chief of Kowoit is preparing
to aid expedition. Imam requests Koweit may be restrained, or Imam be permitted to not by
sea. Bahrein Chief relics on trucial engagement and advice and protection. My respectful
opinion is, that Turkish expedition is on every account inexpedient, and should, if possible, be
averted. If persisted in, Indian Government are not committed to interfere under trucial
engagement as between WahahiB, Koweits. and Turks, 1 think we could not assent to a
naval attack by Turks or Koweit on trucial Chiefs loyal to tboir engagements with us. I
♦ Pin *ph 66 respectfully solicit early instructions on this telo-
' p gram and that of 22nd April.”t
i