'File 9/4 Bahrain Reforms. Introduction of Reforms in Bahrain' [‎40r] (96/224)

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in writing from my predecessor that lie did not suppose that anything in the nature
of Bahrain reforms could be seriously attempted bsfore the close of the pearlino
season and that it would probably devolve on him to take such steps as might be
necessary, I even ventured to hint that possibly even the Government of India
had hardly been prepared for the drastic orders that had come from the very highest
quarters and that Shaikh Isa must endeavour to realize that lie was really commit
ted to a serious course of reform. I told him that the jurisdiction letter was a matter
of no importance, that the powers would probably be granted whether he wished it
or no, and that I had been instructed by the Government of India to apply officially
for the grant of such powers—a measure in which I should have their full support
with the Home Government—and that I had not been instructed to consult Shaikh
'Isa on the subject. I read over to him suitable extracts from Viceroy's telegram
475-S., dated 1/th April 1923, especially the passage " We shall back him up in
carrying out reforms " concluding with " We must be prepared to enforce reforms
ourselves." I warned Shaikh 'Isa that this meant a perpetual struggle with the
tribes, with the members of his own family, notably his own wife, and unceasing
vigilance to prevent relapse. I told him frankly that his conduct with regard to
the Deportation Jetter, his treatment of the Manameh Electric Scheme, his silly
mistrust of the employment of old iron rails by 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. to strengthen
local bridges, his allowing his wife to bank or bury a sum of Us. 500 daily from the
Bahrain Customs revenue, indicated to me clearly that he was not the man, at
seventy five years of age—if indeed he ever was—to enter upon the arduous task
of reform and urged him to stand aside and give his heir-apparent an entirely free
hand- I drew a parallel between such a state of affairs and the enviable position
of Abdur Rahman bin Faisui of Riyadh, who occupied himself with his agricultural
properties and preparing for his latter end, while his son, Abdul Aziz, bore all the
heat and burden of the day. I said that I had never heard that Abdul Rahman
had ever suffered in reputation or dignity. Shaikh 'Isa here interposed with the
remark that Abdul Aziz had won his empire with his own right hand and that the
circumstances were not parallel. I was quick to retort "And who, pray, conquered
Bahrain for you and called you, an orphan and a fugitive, to take your seat as
Shaikh of Bahrain ? And who, all these fifty-five years, has kept and maintained
you here against Turkish force and Persian fraud, internal and external enemies ?
Was it your greedy, disloyal tribesmen or the British Government ? And if now
looking to the good of all, in its wisdom the British Government asks you to make
way for a younger and stronger man a year or two before God calls you to himself,
is there any gross oppression or cruelty in such conduct ? Does it not rather show
a kindly solicitude for your welfare as well as that of your subjects in setting you
free from the anxietias of this difficult and thankless task ? There is no reason why
you should not continue to enjoy the name and dignity of Shaikh of Bahrain—
indeed it is not our intention that Shaikh Hamad should be other than your fully
empowered vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. who is under no necessity of consulting his principal any more than
he consults any otherwise old greybeard in Bahrain." Shaikh 'Isa however replied
in his customary style that though he was absolutely at the orders of Government,
that though they might cut his throat or throw him into the sea, he would not
willingly abdicate. I said that in that case nothing remained for me to do except
to consult my Government, report the facts and ask them whether they empowered
me to set Shaikh 'Isa aside forcibly, that from the tenoilr of the telegrams in my
hands, I had little doubt that they would instruct me to do so, but that, ex abun-
dante cautela, I would consult ihem once again which would probably give him
three days in which to reflect on the situation and decide whether it was wiser to
go out of his own free will or be removed, in which latter case it would unfortunately
be necessary for me to justify my conduct by some reflections on Shaikh 'Isa's
obstructive methods which could hardly be palatable to him, however I might
endeavour, as I certainly should, to soften them down. It was as he was taking
leave that the Shaikh begged me to keep the matter secret and gave the assurance
I have already cited in one of telegrams, that, for him personally, the Shaikdom
of Bahrain was not worth the smoke of a cigarette,
7. During the three days that followed, 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 I-had frequent
interviews with Shaikhs Hamad and Abdullah. I affected to concern myself little
with what might be the outcome of my reference to Government and to be more •
occupied with the proceedings at the Majlis which I announced my intention of call
ing at a decent interval after the orders of Government reached me, whether Shaikh