Page 38 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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which a British gun-boat cannot reach. The
use of the launch will confirm our title to police
the pearl hanks.
The reason for these measures was explained 190t.
by the Government of India in a despatch dated
tlio 21st April, 1001:—
The protection of the British Government had
converted the island from a scene of chronic
external aggression and intestine feud into a
relatively peaceful and nourishing centre of
industry and commerce; hut, secure in the
gratuitous enjoyment of the benefits thus con­
ferred upon him, and oblivious of the past vicis­
situdes of the Khalifa family, the Chief had
been induced, by tho very moderation of the
British Government, to the belief that his re­
lations with them were of a kind involving no
corresponding obligations on his part. The
incorrectness of tho Sheikh’s attitude had been
conspicuously noticeable in connection with
the question of the Customs revenues (u point
dealt with under a separate heading of this
Memorandum'. The Government of India were
not then disposod on this account to have
recourse to coercive measures, in the hope that
the object in view would be effected by moans
which, if slower, might not prove less effective.
They apprehended that the Sheikh would r*ot
he slow to recognize the significance of the
means in question, and that a suitable ofllccr
would be able to bring pressure to hear in con­
nection with the Customs question or any other
matter. Apart, however, from affairs of domestic
interest, the need for a more definite assertion of
our position had recently come into greater pro­
minence owing to the establishment of an entcr-
piising German trader on the island, and by
reason of the growiug interest in this quarter
displayed by foreigners of other nationalities.
The expectations of the Government of India
as to the reformation of the Sheikh were unfor­
tunately destined to be disappointed, and his*
incapacity as a lluler found concrete expression
in disturbances which took place in November India Office,
IDOt, when a German clerk was assaulted and November 2y,
several Persians were wounded.
In the cose of the German, as a result of the India Office,
action of the British Agent, full compensation was January IB, l'JOS.
paid and condign punishment publicly inflicted.
As to the Persians, the Sheikh remained