Page 229 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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121. On the 8th Juno Colonel Polly signalled that the Bullfinch had
arrived at Bahrein on the 3rd, and that ho purposed proceeding in company
with the Hugh Bose to Katif.
122. The Magpie was reported to he at Jask on tho 5th Juno and on the
point of leaving for tho Gulf. Tho Lynx arrived at Angaum on the 10th July.
123. From this time there appears to have been no difficulty regarding tho
vessel required for tho Gulf. Before leaving Bahrein for Bushire Colonel
Pelly, on tho 16th December, requested tho Senior Naval Officer to have one
vessel uninterruptedly present in Bahrein Harbour in order to watch events
and afford moral support to the Chief. The instructions of Government with
regard to the course to be pursued in the matter of tho murder of tho Turkish
messenger were communicated to the Senior Naval Officer, who was also asked
to let a vessel of war show itself off El Bidna whore tho Turks were then about
to land troops. Communication was to bo kopt up with the traeial Chiefs on
the Pirate Coast.
Case of the “ Snipe ”
121. Colonel Polly on the 1st July telegraphed that the Snipe, said by
Secret, Auguft 1871. No*. 147*301. him to bo a British ship had arrived in
(No. 159.) Bushire roads, having on board some 20
Turkish troop. The Commander of the
Bullfinch, then at Bushire, presumed she would not be allowed to proceed.
The Hon'ble J. F. Stephen gave the following opinion on the case. He said :—
“ The case strikes me thus : The Snipe is oarrying contraband of war for the Turks*
This exposes her to seizure by the Arabs, but I do not see how it authorizes a British cruiser
to interfere. British cruisers never interfered with tho British ships whioh choso to run the
northern blockade into Charleston.
No doubt tho maritime truco puts us in a singular position in the Gulf ; but surely
Persia is not a party to it, nor doos it extend so far north as Bushire.
" As at present advised, I think Pelly should be told to permit the Snipe to proceed
warning her Commander that he will not bo protected if tho Arabs attack him."
125. Government, accordingly, on the 2nd July, directed tbe Commander
of the Bullfinch to allow the Snipe to proceed, but to warn the Master that be
wa9 liable to hostile seizure. On tbe same date the Ambassador at Constanti­
nople was informed of what had occurred, and it was added:—
" It would bo desirable that the Turkish Government should abstain from employing
British vessels in such a manner in the Gulf. Can a friendly remonstrauce be made to that
effect F"
126. Sir H. Elliot on the 6th replied
" Orders have been sent to Midhut Pasha to abstain as much as possible from employing
British vessels for transport of Turkish troops destined for Nejd Expedition."
In a despatch of the same date to Lord Granville, Sir H. Elliot wrote :—
u I communicated the substance of it " (i.e., tho telegram from India) to Server Effendi,
and pointed out that the employment of vessels bearing llio British flag in carrying troops
engaged in an expedition of this nature would give riso to erroneous interpretation by the
native tribes upon the coast, and that I should bo glad if ho could meet tho wishes of Lord
Mayo in the matter.
“ His Excellency 6aid that, without taking a positive engagement that British vessels
should not be employed at all, if there should bo a necessity for it, he would desiro that they
should not be engaged for tho conveyance of troops, if it could be avoided."
127. From a telegram of tbe 3rd July, however, it appeared that the Snipe
was not a British vessel. Colonel Herbert signalled :—
M Ottoman Government has engaged Ship Snipe bearing British flag, said to be property
of Hajce Jaber, Persian Govornor of Mohamrah, for oonveyanco of correspondence and com­
missariat supplies to Katccf, under contract to reach on 4th instant, having put iuto Bushire,
•ho is reported as dotained by Anglo-Iudia authorities. Midhut Pasha requests sho may bo set
at liberty. Please reply immediately."
128. Noting on tbe tolegram the Foreign Secretary observed :—
*' This telegram very much alters tho aspect of tho oaso. It appears eho is not a British
vessel, but belongs to one of tho local Persian Governors, and unauthorized!/ sails under tho