Page 50 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

88

the same timo roprosonted to the Government of India the very serious result
the Turkish Expedition might have in lessening British influence in the Gulf
from the faot of its having boon conveyed by sea. “ It cannot bo expected that
the tribes of the Littoral should understand the principle by whioh they aro
precluded from undertaking the smallest military operation by sea, while at the
same timo the Turks aro permitted to send an expedition like the present. " They
were therefore of opinion that the necessity of an offer of arbitration, or rather
of good offices, which Saud seemed prepared to accept, should bo strongly urged
on the Secretary of State. The mischievous effects of the Nojd Expedition on
the British position in the Gulf had been mure than once pointed out to the
Secretary of State for India, and his attention was again drawn to the subject
Secret, M«rcb 1878, No. 857. by the transmission to him of the letter
Secret, Match 1878, Noe. 20V-2G0. of the Bombay Government above re­
ferred to.
Id5. Saud again wrote to the Political Resident on the 22nd Juno 1872
as follows:—
“The Government ordored you to tell me that the friendship between the
Government and mo was firm. I never
Secret, October 1878, Noe. 81-88.
doubted this. I know this from afore­
time. The frendship between you and me was on two accounts— 1st, because
we had been frionds a long time; 2nd, that my country was safe from attack
exoept from tbo seaside. I know that you are paramount at sea, and knowing
the sea to be under your orders I was at ease in my country of Nejd. I
made no arrangement for defending the sea-coast, but I thought that you
were watching ovor the sea, and no one could come, I hope that you will
be watchful of all things under your power, because it is your custom to always
give help and watch over people’s interest.”
Id6. On tho 6th March 1878, ho wrote—
“ I trusted and was easy as regards the sea-coast in relianoo to your an­
I swer, the sea being in your charge and
Political A., July 1679, Noe. 107-109.
protection. I seek aid in two ways, for
the Sirkar helps those who 6eek it from them or cast themselves on
them.
“The sea is under charge of the Resident and I was careless about the
sea owing to his word. I am at peace as regards the sea owing to his word,
as he will not consent to disturbance at sea, and the Sirkar helps thoso who
Beek it and ask for.it. They aro bound to keep peace.*’
147. A fourth communication on this subject to Colonel Pelly, who had
then loft the Gulf, dated 18th May 1873, was as under—
“ I have received from you several letters assuring me of peace at sea,
and I felt convinced that I was in security and under your protection and
that of tho Sirkar. But the Government (Turkish) attacked me by sea. I
then informed you of this fact and begged for a reply, aud understood from
your replies that you bad ray interests under consideration and would com­
municate again.
“ You know that the whole of tho people of these parts consider that
this Gulf is protected by you and under your supervision. Such being the
case it is not possible for you to keep silent in this matter, and must call them
to account for infringing the peace of tho sea.”
148. Tho Government of India informed the acting Resident that unless
6aud was a parly to the so-called Alan*
8*orot, October 1878, No. 4*1.
time Truce, or had otherwise received
assurances from the British Government, he was mistaken in supposing that the
British Government had undertaken to protect his territories from attack by
sea. As far as Bis Excellenoy in Council was then informed Baud bin Eeysal
was neither a party to tho Truce nor had he received any assurances of pro­
tection. The Resident was to report as to whether anything had been sai