Page 332 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

13d
fifty persons. Tho fact that two of tho leaders wero killed in the attack and possibly fivo
tribosmen may have been subsequently killed in skirmishes with Turkish troops despatched
in connection with cases ontircly disconnected with tho murder of Sheikh Selman, and bis
followers, I cannot 6co how the Bohaili can be considered as exonerated by tho Porto sinco
four of tbo loaders in tho attack and ovor forty tribesmen are still at large.
Tho connection of tho Governor of Nojd to tho effect that the crirao was due to the
animosity existing between tho Sheikhs of Bahrein and tho Behaih tribe is orronoous as will
bo seen from the date of the ense set forth in my letters No. 219, dated 12th December 1900,
and No. 9, dated 27th January 1901.
With reference to tho question of compensation, it is hoped that tho fact that the Re.
85,140 represent blood-monoy for tho lives of only 21 victims and the value of the camels,
arms, and camp equipment taken by the Behaih and that tbo Turks will still have to execute
threoofthe principal men concerned in satisfaction of the lives of Sheikh Selman, his son
Diaij, and his nophew Abdulrahman-bin-RnsHid, for whose, murder the Chief cannot accept
compensation as pointed out in my letters Nos. 98 and 109, dated the brd and 17th May 1902
respectively, will not be overlooked.
I may mention that tbo Behaih Arabs are a sub-division of the Morra Arabs, and are
not powerful enough to separate themselves from the main tribe and to go into tho desort of
Nejd for tho reason that they would be soon exterminated by the large tribes in that district
and consequently they have never been boyond the limits of Hasa or Katar and now the tribe
is encamped at Salwa on the western border of Katar. Tho statement that the tribe has
fled into tho desert of Nejd is fabricated with a view to cover the inactivity of the Hasa
authorities.
I have duly warned the Chief to take no independent action in the matter.”
605. In forwarding copies of reports received from the Gulf, the Govern­
ment of India observed in despatch No.
Ibid No. 87.
143, dated 11th August 1904 :—
“ From the details now furnished, it will be observed that the persons reported, by the
Vali of Basrah, to have been killed in a fight at Zernaka between tho Turkish Convoy and
Bin Mekiriah and his companions, were not those actually concerned in tho murder of Sheikh
Selman and his followers; aud that the real perpetraters of the outrage are still at large, and
presumably within Turkish jurisdiction. The contention of the Governor of Nojd that the
murder was the outcome of auiraesity is also refuted.
In view of the attitude adopted by Sheikh Isa in refusing to accept our advice in regard
to the administration of his Customs revenues, we have deemed it advisable to withhold for t he
present from the Chief any intimation regarding the concession which His Majesty's Govern­
ment are prepared to make to him in the matter of avenging himself on his enemies on the
mainland, and we intend, with your approval, to mako no communication to him on the
subject pending the rec»ipt of the order of His Majesty’s Government on the proposals put
forward in our Secret despatch No. 85, dated the 2lst April 19U4, for a revision of the
arrangements for British representation at Manama.
If there is likely to be delay in the issue of these orders, we would sugest that, in order
to prevent the possibility of tho Sheikh’s case being prejudiced by delay, the fact of the
murderers being still at large, and in Turkish territory apparently, might bo brought to the
notice of tho Porto. As the Sheikh is precluded from proceeding against them while in that
territory, the advisability of again pressing for the payment of pecuniary compensation might
aho be considered.”
606. Copy of this despatch has been forwarded by His Majesty’s Government
to Sir N. O’Conor with the following instructions
“The information obtained by the Officiating Residont in the Persian Gulf is to the
effect that the persons who were reported by tho Turkish Government in February last to
have been killed in an encounter with Turkish troops wero not those actually oonccrncd in the
outrage, but that, on the contrary, the offenders are still at largo in Turkish territory.
In view of tho continued failuro of tho Turkish Government to exact any reparation for
themurders, there seems no reason for further delaying tho representation which 1'our Excel­
lency was instructed to make in my despatch* No.
* Vide pan. 002 ante.
132 of the 12th April last, and whioli was
to the effect that His Majesty's Government can no longer restrain the Sheikh of Bahrein from
retorting to such slept as he may think necessary for the purpose, though they mill use their
best endeavours to insure that he shall lake no action against the Behaih us long as that ttibe
remain in territory recognized as Turkith.
} have accordingly to request that you will make tho representation already proposed.