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543. In Septombcr 1899, llio Government of India objected to the establish­
ment of Turkish posts at Zobarah and
No. 77 of Secret K., November 1890, Nos. 7C-82.
Odeid on the Katar coast.
541. In Junc 1893, the Government of India telegraphed to the Secretary
of State for India—
No. 218 of Secret E., July 1893, Nos. 124*281.
•• * * * it is hoped that the view of the Turkish Ambassador * * * that
Katar is a Turkish Sub-Governorehip and dependency of Nejd has been formally
diesouted from by Her Majesty's Government * *
645. The Turkish Government were
No. 81 of Secret E., January 1891, No». 1-1.43.
informed privately of the British Govem-
ment’s dissent.
546. In his letter No. 153 of the 23rd April 1893, the British Ambassador
at Constantinople informed the London Office that—
a In tho course of a conversation which I held with Said Pasha yesterday, I clearly
pointed out to him that Her Majesty’s Government, whilst admitting the sover­
eignty of the Sultan extended from B ussorah to a place called El Katif, consider­
ed that the coast running south of that place was looked upon as debatable land,
and I stated that ITer Majesty’s Government had entered into arrange­
ments with the Nalivo Chiefs along that coast by which it was established that
disputes arising there were to bo referred for settlement to the Btitisli Resident
at Bushire
647. In their despatch No. 141, Secret E of tho 21st July 1893, tho Gov­
ernment of India wrote to the Secretary
No. 229 of Secret E., July 1893, No#. 121-231.
of State for India—
a Your Lordship is already aware that the Ottoman Porfe has of lato distinctly asserted
its claims to sovereignty over 121 Kalr, and we have now only to invite attention
to the lato proceedings of tho local Turkish officials in forbidding Captain
Sfcreclen of Hor Majesty’s Ship Brisk from holding torpedo practice in the
harbour of El Bidaa and in preventing our officers from visiting the shore.
We take this opportunity of enquiring whether the policy laid down in 1833
of denying Turkish jurisdiction over El Katr should be continued. Tho
Government of India are not aware of any circumstance which would
justify a departure from it in the present state of affairs in the peninsula. We
would, therefore, recommend that the lino of action hitherto adopted by Her
Majesty's Government may oontinuo to be followed ; and we have, at tho same
time, tho honour to 6latc that the proceedings of tho local Turkish authorities
have caused and aro6till causing injury to the trade of Bahrein.”
548. Tho Secretary of State replied
No. 38 of Secret E., January 1891, Noi. 14-43.
(despatch No. 35 of the 8th September
1893)—
« * * * (2). As regards the recommendation of Your Excellency’s Government
that the policy of refusing to recognise Turkish jurisdiction over El Katr should
be adhered to, Her Majesty’s Government observe that the Turkish authorities,
although thoy maintain a garrison at El Bidaa, appear to have praotically no
hold on the country. So long as they do not move beyond the limits of the
town, the nominal sueerainly of the Porte is recognised; but any attempt to
extend Turkish authority it resisted.
There scorns therefore to bo no sufficient reason for allowing the pretensions of Turkey
to interfero with our liberty of action, or to prevent Your Excellency's Govern­
ment from making suoh treaties with the Chiefs of El Katr as may be con­
sidered desirablo.
Her Majesty's Government maintain tho policy hitherto followed, and continue to
deny the claim of the Turkish Government to exercisfc sovereignty over tho
El Katr Peninsula; but thoy do not think it necessary to make any official
communication on tho subject to the Porto, unless tho question is raised official­
ly by tho Turkish Government * * #
Srcret E., May 1904, Noa. 658-6C9. 549. In 1894 the London Foreign Office
No. 664, ditto ditto. and the Secretary of State for India con­
curred in tho instructions issued by the Government of Iudia to tho Resident at
Bushire.
* * that tho Commandor and Senior Naval Offiocr , Aden Division, may bo
informed that Her Majesty's ships aro not to reoognise Turkish role at El