مذكرة عن احترام المصالح البريطانية في الخليج العربي. [و‎‎٣‎١] (١٢٦/٢٧)

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reform of the Customs administration of Bahrein has
become a test case of the nature and degree of the
influence which the British Government may reasonably
claim to exercise over the Ruler of those islands.”
1006. In August 1906 a further attempt was made
by the Resident to induce the Sheikh to intrust
the collection of the customs to the Government
of India for a specific sum, in place of farming
them out to the Bania-British Indian contractors.
He declined to adopt this course, and the matter
was temporarily allowed to drop. It is suggested
that the real ground of the refusal is to be found
in the fact that Bahrein is the centre of a large
smuggling trade.
Judicial Powers exercised hy the Political Agent
at Bahrein.
1907 The Government of India raised this subject
in their despatch of the 14th November, 1907,
which is now under consideration, and of which
the following is an extract :—
“ The Agent has at present the powers of a
Magistrate of the 1st class, as described in ‘ The
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898,’ in respect of
offences committed by native Indian subjects of
His Majesty in the Island of Bahrein and on the
southern shores of the Persian Gulf. He also
extends his good offices* to European foreigners
in any disputes between them and the Chief of
Bahrein or bis subjects.
“ Next, he holds a Court, composed of himself
and a representative of the Chief, for the trial of
cases in which the accused is a Bahrein subject
or a foreigner who prefers not to invoke British
good offices, and the other party is a British or
foreign subject who does so.
“ Finally, he controls a local Court of Arbitra
tion for the adjustment of civil disputes between
British subjects and protdgds on the one hand,
and Bahrein subjects or persons of any other
nationality, on the other hand. This Court has
been in existence for over fifty years.
“ He also, on occasions, issues bills of health,
signs marine protests, and legalizes signatures on
behalf of British Indian subjects. Strictly
Vide Secret despatch from Secretary of State, dated