§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, if he can state to the House the reason for the operations conducted during last year in the Persian Gulf by Her Majesty's ships Sphinx and Pigeon?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingIn consequence of quarrels between the Sheikh of Bahrein, who is under the suzerainty of Her Majesty, and other local sheikhs, the chief of the Ali-Bin-Ali, apparently supported by the Turks, established himself on the mainland at Zobara, opposite Bahrein, and about 200 dhows assembled there to attack Bahrein. In order to maintain the maritime peace to which the tribes are pledged Commander Pelly, of the Sphinx, was authorised to resist this demonstration provided he was satisfied that the dhows were assembled with a hostile purpose, and to liberate the Bahrein boats which had been forcibly detained. As the dhows after due warning refused to 800 disperse they were attacked on September 6th, and 44 were destroyed. On the following day terms were arranged, and the peace of the Gulf re-established.