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bring pressure upon tlioso chiefs from tlio land bi*1o ; and ilioy might thus find themselves
Bubjcct to a divided or doublo authority, which would produce confusion, would errate factions,
and would tempt them to hoist the Turkish or the maritime treaty (lag as might bo most
convenient at the moment. This possibility is illustrated by the proceedings of the Sheikh
of 151 Bidda, who now declares himself subordinate to Turkey, and by the attempt of the
Odied Sheikh to follow the example of El llidaa/'
It may, also, bo nocessary to protect the islands of Bahrein by special arrangements
which should provido—
i. —For the maintenance of the territories of the Chief of Bahroin undor the protection
of Great Britaiu.
ii. -—For the fulfilment by tho Chief of his treaty obligations including abstention from
all interference with the mainland.
But in tho event of attack upon his territories the Chief, acting undor the sanction of
the Resident in tho Persian Gulf, should be permitted to take such defensive measures as may
be necessary, even to the extent of following up his assailants into Turkish jurisdiction. The
justification for ibis last provision lies in the peculiar situation of Bahrein. The islands are so
near the mainland as to render them peculiarly liable to piratical attacks, while this same
proximity affords the aggressors every facility fur rapid escapo into Turkish jurisdiction.
16. Secondly in regard to Ottoman responsibility for order? Beyond the limits of ae­
knowlodged Ottoman jurisdiction, no such responsibility would, as a matter of coarso, exist.
But fur the reasons already stated, wo consider that within these limits the British Govern­
ment must conlinuo to exercise 6omo concurrent maritime protectorate ; at least until wo can be
better assured than at present that the Turkish Government can protect onr subjects and on r
interests effectively. It may not be found necessary (o placo on record any formal agreement
as to tho exercise of this joint protectorate ; but some understanding of the following nature
might be arraged :—
i. —That pirate?, whatever their nationality, taken at sea, as well as pirates followed
up and taken within the territorial waters of Turkey by British olficers, cr on
shore within reach of the guns of British vessels, shall be dealt with under the
orders of the Resident in the Persian Gulf.*
ii. —That the British authorities shall not undertake operations on the mainland within
the Turkish line, as tho duty of destroying pirate strongholds so situated will
devolve upon the Turkish authorities.
iii. —‘That the necessary representations to the local Turkish authorities shall be ordi­
narily made by tho Political Agent at Baghdad. If, however, immediate action
is necessary, they may be made in the first, instance by the Resident in the
Persian Gulf, who should inform the Political Agent at Baghdad of his pro­
ceedings.
iv. —That in ease of piracies committed from within their jurisdiction, the Turkish
authorities shall enforce restitution of plundered property and payment of com­
pensation.
17. It may also appear to Her Majesty's Government that the present opportunity should
be taken to reviss our agreements both with Mufcat and the Arab Trucial Chiefs including, of
course, Bahrein. It is due to the policy which the British Government has persued for many
years at heavy expense, and to the efficient naval police which it maintains, that piratical out­
rages have ceased on all that part of the Arab c-»ast subject to British in fine new. in conse­
quence of this condition of permanent security, the commerce of tho Persian Gulf bus deve­
loped to an extent which a few years ago would have been deemed impossible, and it continues
steadily to increase. The Arab Chiefs and the Sultan of Muskat have prospered under the
prolonged and settled peace which the British maritime protectorate has secured. Neverthe­
less, they contribute nothing towards the maintenance of a condition of thing 60 profitable to
themselves, and their engagements contain no distinct acknowledgment of the British Gov­
ernment as the paramount power. The Government of India lias never exercised any right of
sovereignty over theso Chiefs, nor, except as regards maritime proceedings, dues it passes
any contiol over them. For the purpose of obtaining a complete and recognized title, and
of securing on a valid international basis the position which tho British Government has ac­
quired by a long coarse of icttlcd policy, and at much cost, it will bo very advsal le to arrange
that the Treaty Chiefs shall render a small tribute to us in exchange for our protection.
lb. The question of the effect which a settlement with Turkey is likely to produce upon
Persia, scarcely falls within the province oE the Government of India. Culouol Boss remarks
that the Persian Government and its authorities along the const have become accustomed to tho
presence of British ships-of-war, and appreciate tho advantages of our operations, ilo adda
that Persia would certainly rrBent any attempts on tho part of Turkey to assume a similar
p sit ion ; nor docs he think that tho Turks would think it worth while to make the attempt.
We may however observo that a dctcimiualiou, somewhat on the lines indicated, of the posi-