Page 270 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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offer was made of Turkish colors for tlio ICntnr boats engaged in pearling, but
was declined by Sheikh Jasim bin Mahomed Thani, wlmso recollection of tlio
xnisfortuno to which he had been brought by hia reckless intcrforcnco with,
and menaces against, Bahrein, at Turkish instigation, the previous year, was
doubtless too fresh to encourage him to repose any confidence in such protec­
tion. He is said also for the same reason to have later requested the removal
of the Turkish vessel stationed off Katar, ostensibly, but quito unnecessarily, for
the protection of the boats engaged iu pearling.
In October 1896, the Turkish Garrison at Bidaa was relieved of 400
troops, conveyed in the Turkish gunboat Zulia.
272. In August 1S99, Sir O’Conor forwarded to the Foreign Office extracts
from two papers the Servet and the Mon-
Secret E., Novcuibor 1800, Noi. 8-9.
iteur Oriental, from which it appeared
that the Turkish Admiralty proposed to establish naval stations at several ports
in the Persian Gulf-Fao, K.oweit and Katar. The proposal, it appears, em­
anated from the Maritime prefect of Basrah, aud tlio Minister of Marine
placed two or three naval officers at his disposal with a view to their appointment
to 8uch places in the Persian Gulf as he thought fit. Sir O’Conor, however,
thought it probable that the officials would bo found iucapable and certain that
their salaries would be unpaid.