'File 9/4 Bahrain Reforms. Introduction of Reforms in Bahrain' [‎48r] (112/224)

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Letter No. 257 -S., dated Bushire, the 3rd (received tlie 9th) June 1923. Serial No 107
From— H. D. G. Law, Esq I.C.S., Secretary to 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
(.tuii (m the absence of 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. ).
Subject,— Amendment to Bahrein Order-in-C'ouncil
I am directed to mvite a reference to the correspondence* of 1912 between the
Government of India and His Majesty's Secretary of State fo t India in regard to the
Order-m-Council for Bahrein the draft of which was then being considered.
Although the Government of India had urged that provision should be made in the
order for the deportation of foreigners, it was decided that in the absence of any
specific delegation from the Shaikh of Bahrein, the power to deport foreigners could
not be given 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 it was in consequence omitted from the
revised order.
®P ec ^ c ( ^ e ^ e S a ^ on - ia - s now been given by Shaikh Hamad, heir-apparent
of Shaikh Isa, and (as reported in Colonel Knox's despatchf 250-S. of May 31st last)
the present 'de facto' ruler of Bahrein, who has addressed a letter to the Political
Agent requesting the British Government to give their 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. at Bahrein
lawful authority " to deport " mischievous foreigners I enclose one Arabic!
copy of that letter and 3 copies of an English translation.
Recent circumstances, and in particular the cases of Haji Abdul Nabi of
Bahrein and Jasim al Chirawi, have shown how desirable it is that the Political
Agent should be legally empowered to deport foreigners from the Island and that
the present anomalous position should be regularized in which foreigners can take
advantage of the immunity they enjoy under British protection to indulge in
political intrigue against us. And in view of Shaikh Hamad's definite request,
I am directed to ask that the Government of India will be pleased to move His
Majesty's Government to amend the present Order-in-Council for Bahrein, so as to
provide 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. with the necessary power, by substituting in articles
21 arid 22 for the expression " British subject " the expression " person to whom
this Order applies •
Enclosure to Serial No. (107). ~
[Translation].
From— Shaikh Hamad ben Isa Al-Khalifah, Heir-apparent and Deputy Ruler of
Bahrein,
To— Lieutenant-Colonel S. G. Knox, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political Residentin the Persian
Gulf. ^
After complirmnts.
After expression of the best compliments to your high dignity and the
mercy of God and His blessings for ever I have to state, my friend, that I under
stood from Your Excellency that some doubts have occurred in the opinions of
the illustrious High Government about the justice laws regarding the authority
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. at Bahrein for repatriating the foreigners who make mis
chief in the country, who intrigue against my Government by creating difference
between the community of Nations or making intrigues which may be disrespect
ful to my Government and lead to disorder of my country. Also I understood from
^ our Excellency that it would be useful to the High Government if I state my
object in this connection in a clear manner. My friend, since the transfer of the
execution of the justice laws on the foreigners in my country 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.
of the Government at Bahrein up 1 o now I was certain that owing to the transfer
of all those justice laws the right of repatriation was included in it.
As I am certain of this undoubtedly all the people of the country understand it.
To render easy for the Government in organizing the justice laws I, Hamad ben Isa
ben Ali Al-Khalifah, say that my object is that the High Government give a lawful
authority 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. at Bahrein for the reprtriation of the
mischievous foreigners and also 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. put this law in force in
time of need so that there may be always peace and tranquility in my country.
The said 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. should repatriate from our country the mischievous
*See Pro. Nos. 16— 18 and 20 in S. E., July 1913, N ob. 16—41.
tSerial No. (106).
J Not reproduced.
MC239rD