Page 23 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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to the Persian Gulf in 1801, it was token by what
was then thought the shortest and best line from
Gwadur to Cajio Musandim. Entering Malcolm’s
Inlet, the wires were si retched across the
Isthmus of Maklab, and re-entered the sea in
Elphinstono's Inlet on the other side. But the
drawbacks of the site, arising from tho hot
climate, tho sterile neighbourhood, and the
suspicions of the native tribes, compelled a re­
treat from the courso adopted; and, in 1809, the
cable was diverted to Cape Jask and Henjam.”
In a despatch dated the 2nd May, 1001, the
Government of India wrote:—
“The harbour of Elphinslono Inlet on the
western side of tho Musandim Promontory
possesses many advantages, but we consider it
less suitable (than Bussidu and Henjam) for our
ultimate naval station at the mouth of the Gulf,
because of its total lack of supplies and the un­
civilized character of the aboriginal inhabitants.
We should, however, sec no objection to the
hoisting of the British (lag on the Isthmus of
Maklab, not necessarily with the view of ulterior
occupation, but in order to anticipate seizure by
any other Power.”
The question of the measures to be taken to
prevent the occupation of the anchorages of this
promontory by some other European Power was
again raised by tho India Office at an intcr-Depart-
racnlal discussion on various questions connected
with the Persian Gulf on the 14th July, 1902.
The Government of India, to whom the Beport
of the Committee was communicated, recom­
mended in a despatch dated the 23rd October,
1902, that the British Resident in the Persian
Gulf should be authorized to clTcct a inoccupa­
tion of the deserted telegraph buildings at
Elphiustonc Inlet by hoisting tho British flag
and posting a native Agent thero. Tho Admiralty,
who were consulted by tho Foreign Office, stated
on tho 31st January, 1903, that the Lords Com­
missioners saw no objection to the proposal.
On the 21st January, 1904, the Government of
India embodied in a further despatch the con­
clusions arrived at by the Viceroy and the Naval
Commander-in-chief on the East India Station,
after Lord Curzon’s tour in the Persian Gulf,
os to the selection of naval positions.
Amongst other recommendations it was pro-
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