Page 89 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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at present worked by the tribes within our Pro­
tectorate might, if challenged, be defended with a
reasonable chance of success.
“ There remains, however, the caso of foreign
exploitation of deep waters outside the sphere in
which wo bolieve that it may be shown that
fmmemorial usage and occupation have con­
ferred prescriptive rights. In this still wider
area we doubt whether wo possess claims in sup­
port of which wo could appeal to any law or
international practice, and we fear that possible
detriment to the pearl banks in which we hold
prescriptive rights would furnish no valid ground
for objecting to legitimate forcigu enterprise
outside the sphere of Arab occupation; but. by
authorizing tko Chiefs to abstain from all inter­
course with such interlopers, and to utilize the
powers which they possess of interdicting the
importation of foroign diving appliances, of
refusing to lend any assistance in men, boats, or
in any other form, or, if necessary in the last
resort, of removing any such foreigner from their
territories, we might succeed in putting such
serious impediments in the way of such enter­
prises as would discourage outsiders frem
eugaging in them.
“The question is fortunately not oue in which
wo aro at presout called upon to decide as to the
exact nature of the rights or tho precise limits of
the jurisdiction which the several Chiefs possess,
and which we, as the paramount Power, are
hound to assert and maintain on their behalf ;
but in view of tho possibility of further attempts,
whether by Uritish Companies or by foreign
capitalists, we think it advisable to he prepared
in advance. We shall, therefore, be glad to
know whether His Majesty’s Government concur
in tho views above sot forth, and to receive any
instructions which it may bo deemed advisable
to issue for the guidance of our local officers in
the event of renewed adventures of a more
determined character.”

II.

“ We were honoured with your Lordship's com­
mands, signified in Sir Eldon Gorst’s letter of
the 19th October last transmitting to us the
accompanying papers, relative to tho questiou of
tho 8tops to be tuken to prevent foreign inter-
[1098] Z