'File 9/4 Bahrain Reforms. Introduction of Reforms in Bahrain' [‎9r] (34/224)

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and really seemed m earnest. As the T*olitical Agent Iiad previously informed me
that he considered and that the general opinion among leading people was, that
Shaik Abdulla was thoroughly frightened, and would not be likely to give
trouble, at all events for some time, and that it was not necessary to get him out of
Bah rain, I did not make the suggestion that he should go on the " Haj An
additional reason for not doing so was because I found that Shaik Abdulla had
been largely instrumental in getting the Shaik to accept the Babrainis' proposals,
and was urging His Excellency to adopt a more progressive policy, and as Abdulla'
is almost the only person who can get the Shaik to do things, it seemed better,
if Abdulla really acts up to his promise, to let him stay in Bahrain. I accordingly
told him that he must give some proof that he means to help and suggested that
a reform of the arrangements for deciding pearling cases would be a good way
of showing his good faith. He promised to take this matter in hand.
Later on I saw Shaik Hamad at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and warned him in the presence
of 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. on the lines of your telegram mentioned above ; 1 added
that I expected him to take a firm line with the A1 I\halifa family and prevent
oppression by it and thus show his capacity for ruling ; he said he would do so,
and was determined to do his best to prove his suitability to succeed his father.
I attach an extract from a memorandum from 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. givm^ an
account of the Bahrainis' demonstration for the information of the Government
of India.
%
I hope that Shaik Esa has at last realized his position and that Shaik Abdulla
has received a lesson and will behave better in future. I trust the Government
of India will agree that, in view of his apologies 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. and assur
ances of good behaviour, it was unnecessary to call upon Shaik Abdulla to do
the " Haj " at the present time.
Enclosure to Serial No. 14.
Extract from a memorandum No. 34 0., dated the 13th February 1922, from the
Political Aoent, Bahrain, to the Horihle the 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. in the Persian
Gulf, Bushire.
****** **.„
As already reported to you the Bahrainis made a considerable demonstration
some days back, shut the bazar, and forcibly released from a fidawi, a man who
had been illtreated. This action considerably frightened the Shaiks. Shaik
Esa sent Shaik Hamad to me to ask how he should deal with the situation
I declined officially to interfere but unofficially .told Hamad that they would be
most unwise to further force the situation and should try to find means of pacify
ing the people. The outcome was that Qosaibi, Yusuf Kanoo and Muhammad
Sharif were asked to go with some representatives of the Bahrainis to interview
the Shaiks. The Bahrainis made several demands, which after about two days'
delay and a meeting of all al Khalifeh, were granted bv Shaik Esa with the excep
tion of one, which referred to a religious tax on Shiahs. The Shaik at first made
several stupid alterations in the conditions, purely with the object of saving his
face and appearing not to give way to the Bahrainis, but finally modified them.
1 understand that the Bahrainis demanded the following points which were
conceded, though whether they will be carried out is another matter.
1. No one except the ruler and Shaik Hamad, to decide cases or to have
the right to punish in any way.
2. Cases which Shaik Hamad cannot decide to the satisfaction of both
parties to be referred by him to the Shara, Majlis Al Urfi, or Salifeh as the case
may be.
3. No one to be dragged oil to the ruler's court without notice, but to be
served with a summons signed by Shaik Hamad.
4. Documents concerning gardens leased to subjects by the Ruling family
to be in duplicate, a copy in possession of each party, and to be witnessed by
independent witnesses. No conditions other than written in the document to
be enforced.
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