Page 370 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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CHAPTER VI.
Selection of a Naval basis in the Persian Gulf. Question of control
and jurisdiction over the coast from Khor Kalba on the Batinah
coast to Tibbat near Khor-as-Shem.*
(i) Movements of the Russian cruiser Gilyak in the Persian Gulf, 1900.
175. In February 1900, the Russian cruiser Gilyak visited the Persain Gulf.
She arrived at Aden about 1st February. The captain told the Resident
there that she was going to proceed to Far East via Colombo. But the Resident
found soon afterwards from telegrams passing between the captain and the Russian
Consul at Suez, that the Gilyak was to go to Bandar Abbas, and that the British
Steamer Waddon to cariy coal for her to Bandar Abbas (telegram from the
Resident at Aden repeated on 7th February 1900 by the Bombay Government to
the Government of India).
176. On hearing this news, arrangements were made through the naval author­
ities that the British Government should be represented as strongly as possible in
the Persian Gulf during the Russian visit and that wherever the Russian ship went,
we should be present in superior force. The Pomone was ordered from Bushire
to Bandar Abbas, the Lawrence was recalled from Shat-el-Arab to be ready at
the Resident’s disposal and the Sphinx was told off to Jask to keep up com­
munications.
177. The Gilyak arrived at Bandar Abbas on 14th February, and it was
reported that its captain made overtures to the Persian Governor for a coaling
station there, which request the latter declined to comply with in the absence of
instructions from his Government.
178. On the 14th February the Secretary of State telegraphed to the
Viceroy :—
“The Admiralty are being asked to instruct the Senior Naval Officer on the spot as
f ollows
If the Russians should appear to contemplate hoisting flag at Bandar Abbas or
land a fore« there or attempt to occupy or control the port, he is to protest in manner
indicated in his instructions ; then if in spite of such protest the Russian flag snould
be hoisted at Bandar Abbas, he is to hoist the British flag on Ilormus, or Henjam or
Kishwi, or whatever island is considered by naval authorities as offering the best advan­
tage for a naval base in that neighbourhood.
Lord Salisbury particularly desires extreme precautions for secrecy and discreet
execution of these instructions only under condition stated ? ”
179. On the 23rd February 1900, the Secretary of State telegraphed to the
Viceroy in reply to telegram dated 17th February reporting about the overtures
made by the captain of the Gilyak for a coaling station :—
“ Muravieff positively declares that Russian Government has not the slightest desire or
intention to acquire coaling on other stations on Persian Gulf, and commander of the
Gilyak was distinctly ordered not to entertain any such idea.”
180. The Gilyak after this visited Basrah, Koweit, and Bushire, making as
much display as possible of her broadsides and her equipment. She left Bushire
for Colombo on 21st March. After her leaving Bandar Abbas, orders had
been given that our ships should not follow her any longer, as that would cause
much annoyance to the Russian Government.
181. In connection with the recent visit of the Gilyak to the Persian Gulf and
her overtures for a coaling station in the Gulf, Her Majesty's Government ordered
the Naval Comraander-in-Chief on the East Indies station to arrange that captains
of Her Majesty's ships visit the ports and islands and report on their harbour
accommodation, capacity for defence and other natural suitability for coaling
purposes and for the control of the Gulf (Foreign Office to the India Office, dated
11 th April 1900).
* As regards the previous correspondence on the Muss&ndim peninsula, Khur Fakan, Fajeira, etc., see
the Trueial Chu/t Pridz, 1S54—IQ05.