Page 241 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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167. The Bombay Government thought that the above letter of Colonel
Herbert strongly corroborated their provious view as to the possible results of
the Turkish Expedition aud the real designs of tho Baghdad Governor-
Genoral:—
” Midhut Pasha,” wroto tho Bombay Government. ” ha9 long been known as ono of the
most able men in Turkey, bent upon extending tho authority of the Porte wherever and when­
ever on opportunity presents itself. The expedition, it is nlleged is to re-establish the
authority of i he Lieutenant of the Porto throughout tho territory of Nejd. But what arc the
boundaries of Ncjd ?
“ It has been pointed out in tho letter of this Government above quoted, that the Ameer
of Riadh has always claimed a 6uzorainfy over Muscat and Bahrein, and it now appe irs that tho
official paper at Baghdad distinctly includos Bahrein and the country of Oman to the east within
Nejd territory. It is impossible to foresee to what complications theso pretensions
may lead.”
163. Tho views of the Government of India on these points will be
ascertained by a reference to the following note of His Excellency the Viceroy,
dated the 29th July 1871.
“ I really do not know what tho Bombay Government want us to do. Do they wish us
to define or rather, ns Colonel Herbert expresses it instruct them as to our views io regard to
the whole country of Oman, boundaries, allegiance, jurisdiction, etc. ?
u I always thought that it was one of the well known raaxim6 of diplomacy that a gov­
ernment who desired pcaco should not initiate tho discussion of complicated and difficult
subjects, and should not reply to anticipated questions until they were put.
f
“ I see no necessity whatever for expressing any opinion as to tho boundaries of Nejd,
Maekat, any portion of Oman, or tho littoral of the Persian Gulf, though we are perhaps in a
position to offer a sounder opinion on these 6ubject6 than any other government, administra­
tion, or power.
w The Bombay Government relies upon the ambitious character of Midhut Pasha, and
what they call * his well-known designs.'
u For my part I prefer to take ax a base of action the positive assurances of the Ministers
of the Pcrte, rather than the character o/ the Governor-General of Baghdad, however well-known,
or the opinions published in the Baghdad newspaper, no matter how directly that journal may be
supposed to be inspired to by the advisers of the Pasha.
“ Tho Government of India are quito aware of the possible complications that may arise
out of the unwise action of the Turkish Government in this matter.
" We have expressed our views to the Secretary of Stato in tho strongest language, and
at the very fir*t decnlred our opinion that every possible amount of diplomatic pressure and per-
suation should he exercised to iuduco the Sultan to abandon this dangerous undertaking.
“ We have roceived assurances more satisfactory than I had at first expected.
“ As I said before, I do not know what the Bombay Government want us to do ; but all
I can Fay is, that if their advico is to be interpreted into this-j-that wo should take the present
opportunity of attempting to define relations and boundaries as between the differront Chiefs
and States in those districts I consider it to be a most unwise proposal.
“ Tho Secretary has well pointed out that wo have nothing to do with these matters.
“ Our obligations with regard to the Gulf itself, and the preservation of maritime peace,
are sufficiently onerous and difficult without entering into further cuterpriscs.
** I agree in the opinion that no provisions for a joint protectorate of the fisheries, come
from what quarter they may, can be admitted; but perhaps it will be sufficient to say to Colonel
Herbert that as this duty of the protection of the fisheries and the preservation of the maritime
peace has devolved for many years upon us aloue, and that as the Ministers of tho Porte have
already assured us that no interference or change with regard to our position in the Persian Gulf
is desired or meditated by the Sultan, it therefore follows that, nothing that has happened with
regard to the Turkish Expedition to Nejd can he takon to authorize any intorf«renco on their
p»rt with those duties which are well recognised and which we shall continue unassisted to
perform.”
Further narrative of the Expedition and Affairs of Nejd.
169. The accounts received from time to time regarding tho doings of the
Expedition, and events in Central Arabia, are contradictory and unreliable to
a degree that makes it almost impossible to give any clear and connected
account of what lias occurred. Writing too late as the 22nd November,