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518, To clear up the discrepancy between the information received from
Her Majesty’s Government and that roceivcd from the Political Agent at
Baghdad, Ilor Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople was immediately com-
municated with by telegraph, both direct and through Colonel Herbert. The
result of this reference was that Sir H. Elliot telegraphed on the 12th May:—
“ The Ottoman Porte explicitly denies all intention of extending supremacy over Bahrein,
Maskafc, or tho independent tribes of Southern Arabia, and contemplates no attack against
them. Tho solo object of the expedition is declared to bo the restoration in Nejd of the
tranquillity which is disturbed by the hostility of the brothers, Abdullah and Saud."
519. Tho Grand Vizior communicatod these assurances through M. Pisani
to 8ir H. Elliot:—
‘•'Your Excellency, said Ali Pasha, may give the most positive assurances to Hor Majesty's
Government that the Porte entertains no intention whatever of obtaining supremacy over
Bahrein, Alaskat, or the independent tribes of Southern Arabia, and does not contemplate any
attack upon them, or harbour any design to subdue them. He asserts that the true and sole
object of the present enterprise it to pacify the two brothers, to prevent the protraction of
disorder, and to restore tranquillity."
620. Midhut Pasha then at Baghdad also communicated to Colonel
Herbert tbe assurances of the Porte. These assurances enabled the Governmeut
of India to give on the 17th May the much required instructions to Colonel
Polly, viz., to communicate the substance of Sir H. Elliot's message to the
Chief of Bahrein and those of the Trucial Chiefs who had made enquiries
regarding the object of Turkish expedition.
521. With regard to the general questions put by Colonel Pelly it was
said:—
“ He should be informed that it is impossible for Ilis Excollonoy in Council to< give
instructions rogurdmg contingencies of the occurrence of which there is no immediate prospect
The Turkish expedition, however, in no way affects the Treaty rights and obligations, either of
the British Government or of the Chiefs who have subscribed to the maritime peace. Colonel
Polly may 60 inform tho Chiefs who. have consulted him, and should use all legitimate meana
to maintain the stipulations of the treaties.”
622. Colonel Polly having enquired whether tribes, who are parties to tbe
maritime truce, should be allowed to undertake operations by sea in the interest
of either party, he was told on the 30th May to go to Bahrein and there assure
the Chief of tho assurances given by the Porto; to inform him that so long as
he observed conditions of Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty, our obligations would
be fulfilled; to inform all tbe Chiefs, truoial and others, that the Turkish Gov-
erument contemplated no attack on them and had no intention to obtain
supremacy over any independent State.
623. With reference to Colonel Pelly’s enquiry regarding Truoial Chiefs,
tbe Secretary of State was asked :—
“ If Polly ask9 whether ho is to stop by foroe any military operations by soa on part of
Chiefs, either for or against Turks, am I to authorize him to d) so ? I advise this course, and
thut you should infer o Turkish Government accordingly. This will not includo Koweit Chiefs
who iiave already Bailed.''
524.. The Secretary of State replied*
“ Persian Gulf Trucial Chiefs may be interdibted from maritime operations, but no
others."
525. Thereupon the Bombay Government were directed to inform Colonel
Pelly accordingly,'and to instruot him to use all the influence be possessed',
with the other Chiefs to maintain the maritime truce.
536. Tlio instructions givea to Colonol Pelly having been communicated to
the.Pocte, Ali Paalm expressed his thunks.fop the communication; in un­
equivocal terras repeated his assurances that the- Porte contemplated nonaval
operations, and said that it had no intention of applying for assistance to any of
the Chiefs inoludod in, the maritimo truce. At the same time the Porte having:
no cognizance of tho truce could not be expeoted to bo held bound by it, and'
would not hesitate to acoept the services of any of tho Chiefs who might tender
•them.