Page 225 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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Tho allusion to firmans was not intelligible at the time, but from Colonel
Herbert's letter of tho 19th July, containing a more detailed account of his
interview with tho Pasha, it appears that tho bearer of the flag to the Bidaa
Chief was supposed by Colonel Polly to have had the authority of a firman
from the Sultan. The Pasha’s denial then came to this that no orders bearing
tho Sultan's signature had been sent demanding the fealty of the Katar
Chief. It was not clear whether tho steamer that had arrived off Bidaa was u
Turkish man-of-war or merchant vessel, and Colonel Pelly was directed by the
Government of India to obtain full information on the point. On the 30th
July Colonel Pelly intimated—
“ Herbert having addressed Bagdad Pasha concerning Turkish flag at Gwuttur, latter
replied his assurance had related to Bahrein, which would not be interfered with until settle­
ment of question between British and Ottoman Governments ; but that Gwuttur was not
excepted like Bahrein."
100. As already.mentioned in paragraph 79 Colonel Herbert had been
directed to make no communication on
Ibid, No. 231.
political matters to tho Pasha. Ho was
again reminded of those instructions and told—
u except under direct instructions from Government of India, make no communication
to Pasha on questions involving political or inter-
* * * °* ' national principles, or Treaty rights and duties.
Report constantly by telegraph and ask for orders."
Colonel Pelly was also directed through the Bombay Government to
“ mako no direct communications Colonel Herbert on matters involving political or
international principles, or Treaty rights and duties. Such matters should be referred to
Government of Iudia by whom communication will be made with the Porte through tho pro­
per channel."
101. Later, on the 30th July, tho following, was received from Colonel
Pelly
" Magpie arrived. Major Smith found Turkish flag in Jassira’s* house. Arab flag in
Bin Thanni’s at Biddeh. Gwuttur Chief explained
8 * r 10 ’ by lottcr Turkish flag was hoisted by desire of
Turkish Commander, who sent it through Koweit Chief. Does not appear Turkish steamer
entered port. Chief verbally referred English to Turkish Sultan regarding hoisting flag."
102. The Bombay Government on the 7th August signalled—
“ In despatches just received, Major Smith reported to Resident that he was informed
that a Turkish Government steamer and Chief of Koweit. in his own boat proceeded to Gwuttur
bearing communication from the Pasha Commanding Ottoman forces in Nejd."
103. The Assistant Political Resident wrote on the 20th July regarding
the Katar Chief—
f* Mahomed bin Tani, although heretofore well enough inclined, is old and infirm, and is
influenced by his eon Jas6im with whom tho pirate Nasir bin Moobarek is closely allied : both
these men, it is known, hate tho policy hitherto raaintaned in the Gulf. They have long set
their minds on pirating Bahrein, hence the reception with pleasure of a flag that rightly or
wrongly they suppose may yet afford thorn the desired opportunity,"
10-1. In a letter to the Assistant Political Resident, the Katar Chief
significantly wrote—
“We are people residing on the mainland and their (Turk’s), forces are moving by land,
and I have been required to accept this flag. I therefore did so."
The Katar Chief gave as a reason for flying the Turkish flag that he had
not been protected by the English. This allusion was to the piracy of one of
his boats’by another tribe, for which he complained that he got no redress.
Cololnel Pelly said that tho matter bad been enquired into.
105. The bearing of those events at Bidaa will he best illustrated by the
following extruct from the Foreign Secretary’s note of tho 19th July 1S71:—
u Some notico of Biddeh or El-Biddeh will bo found at tho places I have mnrked in No.
XXIV, of the now series of Bombay Selections. It will bo soon th.it, os early at any rate as
1827, and as late as 1851, it is described as a dependency of Bahrein. Y\ hother it is so still I
have nn information, but at all ovents nothing is known here to the contrary. Esau bin Tarif, who
settled with a section of the Uttolce tribo there, was a descendant of ono of the original