File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎34v] (73/531)

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short time. I hope to pay a leisurely visit to Bahrein at an early date to
discuss various matters with 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 the Sheikh, and I shall
he in a better position then to address Government fully.
I return the original Arabic memorial as directed. The original English
translation I take the liberty of keeping for the present.
No. 24, dated Bahrein, the 13th January 1906.
From —Captain F. B. Prideaux, 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. , Bahrein,
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 Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
With reference to your office endorsement No. 1956, dated the 26th
December 1905, enclosures to which are herewith returned, on the subject of
Sheikh Esa-hin AlPs petition, dated the 2nd October 1905, I have the honour
to submit the following report:
2. The secret of the despatch of this petition has been extremely well
kept in Bahrein, and I doubt if any of the Chief’s subjects except one or two
of his relations and bis clerk have had any cognizance of it. The English
translation was undoubtedly made in Bombay, and I have no hesitation in
expressing the opinion that Sheikh Mahomed bin Abdul Wahab Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. must
have been the Chief’s correspondent and Agent in the matter there.
3. I have asked the Chief why he had not forwarded the petition through
me and have pointed out that he would probably have received his answer
quicker if he had done so. He replied that he had informed me in his letter
of the 30th May 1905 that he would address the Government direct if he did not
receive through me an early reply to all his representations, and he had subse
quently only carried out this threat.
4. To some extent the Chief’s statement may be considered plausible, as
with the exceptions of the long message, which you desired me in your letter
No. 781, dated the 11th June 1905, to communicate to him, and of my letter
No. 218, dated the 4th July 1905, to which I have referred in the first para
graph of my letter No. 237, dated the 16th July 1905, to your address, Sheikh
Esa has not been given any definite reply. He has never, however, reminded
me of this, nor has he enquired whether Government had in any way modified
the message which you had sent to him. Moreover, after acquiescing in the
deportation of Sheikh Ali, it seems curious that the Chief should affect to think
that we had not been acting entirely under instructions from Government.
5. In the matter of the flag-staff I have pressed the Chief to say whether
he now believes that it was lowered under my orders, that it was lowered by
my subordinates without my knowledge, or that it was blown down by the wind.
He has replied that perhaps the flag-staff was not lowered under my orders,
but that he has heard from reliable persons that the sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. , who were in charge
of the house, had intentionally pulled it down. I need hardly say that this
accusation is ridiculous. You may, perhaps, however, deem it advisable to call
upon the Chief to produce his informants before you, when you next visit
Bahrein.
6. It is characteristic of Sheikh Esa that when referring to the two Agree
ments of 1880 and 1892 he should make no reference to the numerous occasions
on which we have resolutely given him aid and protection, his obtuseness of
feeling in this connection having even caused him to omit mention of the
important Treaty of 1861 in which the first guarantee of British protection for
his State was openly made.
r “T 6 astoilisllin n will the Government probably consider the fact
of the Chief s objecting to the presence of a British officer in Bahrein. With
a community of some 8 or 10 Europeans in the place, a considerable influx of
native Christians from Turkey and the large increase of trade enioved by the
merchants of Bahrein, many of whom are British subjects, it is not probable
that the Government will he impressed by the Chief’s preference for the former
system under which a native merchant gave only a portion of his time to their
interests.
8. With regard to the Arms Traffic Prohibition I Can only venture to
make the following observations with the greatest diffidence, as the Agreement