'File 19/165 IV (C 57) Bahrain Reforms' [‎130v] (291/476)

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5. It may be asked why we should not allow Bahrein to be run as, for instance
Kuwait is, as an Arab city on Arab lines. The answer is that the population of the
two cities is wholly dissimilar. The population of Kuwait is largely Bedouin :
their outlook is towards and of the desert. The people who come and shop there
are the desert Arabs of the interior. Kuwait commanded till recently the pick
of the Bedouin tribes, the Ajman and Mutair, and all their wealth and trade
came from traffic with the interior and from their flocks and herds. Finally
Kuwait has a homogeneous population.
The population of Bahrein is hetrogeneous and divided by racial and religious
differences—Nejdis, Wahabis, Persians, Sunnis, Shiahs and large colonies of
Mohammedan and Hindu Indians. Bahrain is a purely commercial centre, its
outlook is towards Bombay and the stock markets of the world on which it depends
to sell its pearls. The people who come and shop there are largely the wealthy
pearl merchants of Paris and Bombay. It has no tribes worth mentioning, and an
enervat ng and relaxing climate which shows itself in the Arabs who have settled
there. Its wealth comes from its pearls almost entirely : it may perhaps be
increased shortly by the discovery of oil.
7. Now with a population such as this, many of whose members are extremely
wealthy, and which is brought in closer contact with the outside world than the
population of any other place in the Gulf, it is not unnatural to find a strong desire
for decent administration and for the amenities which they obtain elsewhere. As
was stated in your telegram referred to above [Serial No. (11)], what we have done
is good in itself. We have not foisted upon an unwilling people measures which they
did not want or a horde of low paid officials, neither have we introduced vexatious
rules or regulations. We have improved the lot of the diver and largely rescued
him from virtual slavery : we have established simple courts where cases are ex
peditiously settled, not on legal technicalities but on diving or commercial practice
understood by all or according to the religious precepts of the parties
concerned : we have enabled the State out of its own resources to make one or two
good roads, to instal electric lights, and to make at any rate some small beginning
with education. Finally, and to this I attach much importance, there are now in
Bahrain two municipalities which do good work. Their resolutions are at times
ludicrous, as for instance when they wished to decree that ladies must wear certain
types of garments, but on the whole their work is satisfactory and at any rate
the members are gaining some experience of local self-government, which it is
to be hoped will in course of time enable them to be of service in a wider sphere.
8. Bahrain has 3 European officials, an Adviser, or Diwan as he would be called
in India, a Superintendent of Police and a Director of Customs, and I must say
that I think the State is extremely fortunate in the Europeans whose services it
has secured. Mr. Bel grave is keen and tactful; has had previous experience of
Arabs in the Colonial Service and speaks the language well and is a charming and
cultured man to meet in himself : he struck me as being the best stamp of British
official and just the man that is required. Mr. Parke I did not meet, as he is at
home on leave, but 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. spoke highly of him. Mr. deGrenier,
though of a different type to Mr. Belgrave, is full of enthusiasm about the somewhat
humdrum functions he is called upon to perform, and Colonel Barrett thought
highly of him, as reported to the Government of India in his despatch No. 184-S.,
dated 1st June 1929 [Serial No. (4)].
9. There is really no analogy between Bahrain and an Indian State. The
latter can obtain as many fully trained Indian officials as they require, yet despite
this an increasing number of them nowadays employ Europeans in different capa
cities : Bahrain cannot obtain Bahrainis or Arabs qualified to hold the higher posts.
Syrians and Egyptians are jusf as much foreigners as an Englishman is.
10. I therefore see no likelihood of the State being able to dispense with Mr"
Bclgrave's services within any period that need at present be taken into account.
Again as pointed out by the Government of India, the necessity for a European
Superintendent of Police largely depends on whether the threatened influx of
European oil-borers materialises or not. If it does then the presence of a European
to deal with the hetrogeneous elements that will flock to the oil fields wil certainly
bo necessary. It is not possible to come.to a decision at present. Mr. Parke is
at present on leave and I understand will return for a year or two, but it is improh-