'File 19/191 I (C 27) Bahrain, Persian Claim To' [‎8v] (25/478)

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When this tribe finally left Bahrein in 1923 they were given shelter by Ibn baud
in Dammam in Hasa.
62. In 1922 the Persian question again arose over the matter of passports.
In June of that year the British consul at Bunder Abbas reported that the Persian
passport officials at Lingah, the port at which the British-India ships call trom
Bahrein, had ruled that Bahreinis were Persian subjects and should be given Persian
passports. They seized two British certificates of identity issued to Banrem
subjects, but on representation orders were issued from Tehran to Lingah that tms
action was not to occur again. /-i + + +
In 1923 the Persian Government instructed its officials in the (rult to treat
Bahreinis as Persian subjects, and the Persian consul at Nejef issued a notice to
the effect that Bahreinis should register at his consulate as Persians.
In the previous year, 1922, a postal conference was held at Bushire, and the
Persian delegate, while not for the moment pressing for the Bahrein Post Office,
intimated that his attitude was without prejudice to Persian claims on Bahrein.
At the same time a press campaign was started in the Persian papers, demanding
the return of Bahrein to Persia.
63. In 1922 the Foreign Office in London began to take a strong line regarding
the conditions prevailing in the Government at Bahrein, and on the 7th December
of that year addressed the Government of India in the following terms :
" I am to express the earnest hope that steps may be taken forthwith for
the introduction at Bahrein of reforms tending to ensure the equitable treatment
of Shiahs."
Colonel Knox, the acting Resident, protested against action being pressed too
strongly. „ _ _. . ...
64. In replying to the Secretary of State the Government of India, m tneir
telegram dated the 14th May, 1923, stated ;—
" Knox overlooks the fact that the Foreign Office consider the time has
come to face the direct issue with Persia, and that should Persia appeal to the
League of Nations misrule would be the only serious flaw in our case. Publicity
is a new factor that cannot be ignored. Developments are likely to have an
unsettling effect on Ibn SaUd. Prompt action in Bahrein is imperative, and
Knox should be given authority to take it at his discretion. • — • We desire
only to put ourselves right in the eyes of Bahrein and the world."
65. In first pressing these reforms, the Government of India stated :
" Nothing should be done to encourage the idea that the sheikh is introducing
the reforms at Government dictation."
66. The question of these reforms and our interference in internal affairs is
dealt with in my accompanying despatch No. 295-S of to-day's date.
67. The international aspect of the case is then that Persia, depending upon
her possession of Bahrein up to 1783, on the agreement of Captain Bruce in 1822, and
on our communication to her in 1869, maintains her claim to Bahrein, notwith
standing the Muscat and Wahabi possession which intervened and the long
subsequent independence of the sheikhs. It is doubtful whether she to-day has
any knowledge of the fact that on three occasions, in 1791, in 1838 and in 1859, she
temporarily assumed protection of Bahrein, though for so short a time that no real
claim could be based upon it. In the third case the circumstances would only count
against her. However, in Foreign Office letter, dated the 31st December, 1926,
addressed to the Under-Secretary of State, India, it is stated :—
" On political grounds it is of great importance to avoid any action which
would result in the re-awakening of the controversy as to the sovereignty of
Bahrein."
68. In 1922, however, we stated, as quoted above, that Colonel Knox was
unaware that we were ready to meet the Persian claim, and even to put it before the
League of Nations. Thus, it is obvious it is only our other commitments with
Persia which made it undesirable publicly to meet the question openly in 1926.
69. But the real danger is not from Persia, since, if the point was forced on
us, we should have no hesitation and no difficulty in disposing of her very illusionary