Page 237 - The Arabian Gulf States_Neat

IRAN’S CLAIM TO BAHRAIN 175
Shah of Persia. Because of the importance of the Duke of Argyll’s
reply, in so far as it formed the main basis for Lord Clarendon’s Note
to Persia on the question, a discussion of the main points raised in this
reply is, therefore, necessary. In his reply the Duke stated:
The British Government have hitherto carefully abstained from recogniz­
ing either directly or indirectly the validity of the claims, on several occasions
advanced by Persia, to the right of sovereignty over Bahrein. Moreover, the
Sheikh of Bahrein, in his capacity of an independent sovereign, has con­
tracted obligations towards the British Government for the suppression of
piracy, war and slave trade, which are indispensable to the success of our
measures of maritime police, of which the local Governor of Bahrein who
is possessed of considerable naval resources, is alone competent to secure
the fulfilment.
The last passage of Argyll’s reply contained the suggestion that it
may be expedient to notify the Government of the Shah, ‘as a matter of
courtesy’ only, about any measures which the British Government
may take in the future against the conduct of the Shaikh of Bahrain.1
It appears that this suggestion met with the concurrence of Lord
Clarendon who, in view of the friendly relations between his Govern­
ment and Persia, sent a rather moderate and courteous Note dated 29
April 1869 to the Persian Charge d'Affaires. In this Note Clarendon
stated:
The British Government readily admit that the Government of the Shah
has protested against the Persian right of sovereignty on Bahrein being
ignored by the British authorities; and they have given due consideration
to that protest.
But, after referring to the nature of the engagements which the Shaikh
of Bahrain entered into with the British Government, Clarendon
added:
If the Persian Government are prepared to keep a sufficient force in the
Gulf for these purposes, (i.e., for policing the Gulf), this country would be
relieved of a troublesome and costly duty, but if the Shah is not prepared
to undertake these duties, Her Majesty’s Government cannot suppose His
Majesty would wish that in those waters disorders and crimes should be
encouraged by impunity.
Then, after assuring the Persian Charge d’Affaires of the friendly
feelings entertained by his Government towards Persia, Clarendon
made the following concessions:
Whenever it is practicable to do so, [he said] Her Majesty's Government
will cause the Persian Government to be informed beforehand of any

1 F.O. 248/251. India Office to Rt Hon. E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 21 April
1869.