'File 19/109 V (C 32) Bahrain Relations with other Foreign Powers' [‎148v] (304/547)

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Navigation Comprny in th«ir own interests take steps to
ensure that intending travellers arc provided with documents
enabling them to land at the port of destination before
allowing them to come on board.
6. The note then mentions reports or complaints
from the Shia* population of Bahrain regard^n^ the hardships
which they suffer. In this connection I can only say that
on each occasion i visited Bahrain, the Shia* priests of
Bahrain have complained to me bitterly of the haraships
inflicted upon the Shia' Bahrainis in Persia, and have
never once complained to mt of any hardship suffered at the
hands of the Bahrain Government. The note t 0 ®® on to say
that the pro>f that the Persians have not acted contrary to
the status quo is that as the Persian Government consider
Bt hrain as Persian territory, Bahrainis are naturally
reckoned as Persian subjects and in consequence there Is no
need to oblige ^ahrainis to accept Persian nationality.
This of course begs the whole point at issue, which is that
the status of Bahrain is at present under discussion between
the British and Persian Governments and with it the nation
ality of Bahrain subjects, and it was agreed between the
Minister of Court and Sir Robert Clive that until this
question had been decided, no pressure should be brought
upon Bahrainis resident in Uohammerah to accept Persian
nationality, and the matter should be kept in suspense*
?• I pm sending copies of this despatch to the
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Foreign Secretary to the Gove nment of India and to His
Majesty 1 s
* W- twT-!"
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