Page 30 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

2 L

operation must depend tho means of obfahiing the
posi ti vo necessaries of 1 i foand those Iriflinglu varies
desirable to an Arab. It is needless to observe
bow materially their own condition, and, by an
easily deduced corollary, the safety of the Gulf,
might bo afFected by the failure of a single
season. Hence the anxiety and care attended
with great expense which has been devoted by
our Government to the maintenance of perfect
tranquillity and security on the pearl banks."
In his report dated April 1803 on the tribes of
the Persian Gulf, Colonel Polly, who was for
many years British Resident, wrote as follows: —
“ Tho settlements of these tribes are mainly
dependent for subsistence upon the proceeds of
their pearl-divings; they possess little territory.
As to the pearl bunks, these are held in common
bv the tribes, and thousands of boats collect
there during the diving season to keep (he peace.
............... Men must export what they can pro­
duce or spare, or else they .must go without
imports; if men situate like these Arabs do not
export salt-fish and pearls, they must either turn
pirates or starve.”
In a Durbar, held at Shargah in November AiMr.-.v* .if iiu>
1P03, the Viceroy addressed the Chiefs as Viccmy ."»t public
Durbar hold at
follows:— Shargah,
November 21.
“ Chiefs,—Out of the relations that were thus
created, and which, by your own consent, con­
stituted the British Government the guardian
of intertribal peace, there grew up political tics
between the Government of India and yourselves,
whereby the British Government became your
overlords and protectors, and you have relations
with no other Power. Every one of (be States
known as the Trucial Stales lias hound itself, as
you know, not to enter into any Agreement or
correspondence with any other Power, not to
admit the Agent of any other Government, and
not to part with any portion of ils territories.
These engagements are binding on every one of
you, and you have faithfully adhered to them.
•They are also binding in their reciprocal effect
upon the British Government, and as long as
they are faithfully observed by the Chiefs there
is no fear that any one will he allowed to tamper
with your rights or liberties.
“ Sometimes I think that the record of the
past is iu danger of being forgotten, and there
persons who ask, why should Great Britain