'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1915-1919' [‎186r] (378/396)

FOR THE YEAR 1919.
63
as a guest of His Majesty's Government He was accompanied by Major
II. E. Bowman. The party arrived in London on 13th October 1919 and were
received by His MajestyNtbe King in Buckingham Palace on 30th October
1919. On 26th November 1919, they attended a joint conference of India and
ioreign Offices to discuss Arabian affairs. (Note* The party shortly after-
Wards returned to Bahrain, reaching Hassa on 12th February 1920).
{c) The safety of the Hassa Riyadh trade route was maintained during the
year. This being entirely due to the splendid and remarkable work done by the
Amir Bin Jaloui, cousin of Shaikh Sir Abdul Aziz bin Abdur Rahman as Saud,
and ruler of Hassa and Qatif. No praise is too high for the work done by this
man and it is hoped His Majesty's Government will see its way to recognise
the exceptional qualities of this man by a fitting reward in the near future.
(d) The Akhwan. —This movement is increasing rapidly, and in 1919 has
made great headway throughout Arabia. It is not the bad move of the
Wahabis of a century ago. In nature it is simply a great revival of Religious
belief among the ignorant Bedouin It is buing fostered and guided by the
Amir of Nejd, Bin Saud, who is far too able and clear-sighted a ruler to allow
the movement to deteriorate into a fanatical and anti-European crusade. Bin
Saud has the movement absolutely in hand, and may be expected to use it as a
political rather than a religious weapon. The many stories and alarmist
rumours regarding the movement may be set aside as idle gossip. The Akhwan
are the strong backbone, and Pretorian guard, so to speak,lot Bin Saud. They
are soldiers rather than priests. The roundheads of a modern Cromwell.
(e) Bin Saud recently lodged a formal complaint against Shaikh Isa of
Bahrain charging 5 per cent, on goods passing through Bahrain en route for
Nejd. He contends such goods should pay no duty to the Shaikh of Bahrain
as they are neither consigned to, nor are intended for, Bahrain. The matter
has been referred to ^igher authority and is now under consideration.
(/) Jurisdiction over subjects of Bin Saud whilst on a visit to, or resident
iti, Bahrain —Bin Saud has recently raised the question also. He is very
anxious that all his subjects should be considered as under the British Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. 's
protection whilst in Bahrain. His desire has been strengthened recently, owing
to the fact coming to light of several cases of Zulum " towards his subjects.
(g) Opening up of Ojair and Jubail Harbours on the mainland of Hassa
as ports to serve Nejd, Qassim and Hassa. Bin Saud has intimated to the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. that he was anxious to take the above work in hand, and
officially asked His Majesty's Government that they try and get the British
India Steam Navigation Company to run a steamer at once to Ojair, and later
on another to Jubail.
The above matter has not yet gone beyond the initial stages. It is hoped
that the Deputy Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. will shortly visit Ojair, Ras Tanurah, and
Jubail with the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrain, when it will be possible to decide on
the merits of each as the future harbour and port of Nejd.
YI..— Qatar. —Friendly correspondence on minor matters and giving of
news has been kept up with Shaikh Abadullah Bin Jasimath Thani, Shaikh
Abadullah was gazetted, C.I.E., on June 3rd, 1919.
VII. Customs Bahrain.—(a) Rao Sahib Tirathdas Maharaj, late Director
of Customs, Bahrain, headman of the Hindu community in Bahrain and Brahmin
community in Karachi, died of diabetes at Karachi. He had greatly assisted
the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in putting/stop to smuggling of food-stuffs to Tangistan coast
duiirg the blockade and was especially thanked by the Deputy Political Resit ent,
Colonel A. P. Trevor, C.S I, C LE , for good work. Bahrain Customs could
ill-afford to lose the services of such valuable and devoted officer and Shaikh
Isa still feels his loss.
(b) The cash deposit system has worked well during 1919. The object for
which it was originally instituted having ceased to exist, a movement headed
by Shaikh Isa of Bahrain was started at the end ot 1919 fonts abolition.
{Note. In March 1920 the Deputy Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. approved of the system
being done away with).