File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎108v] (221/531)

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Khalifa If we simply provided him with a suitable native tutor^ (either Egyptian
or Indian) as soon as he was recognized as heir to the Chiefship, and arranged
for his making shorter tours later on or even after his accession.
23. As regards Mr. Fraser’s references to myself and my position, I
sincerely believe that my post is now regarded with a considerable increase of
3.W6, judging by ihc attentions shown to me by the Bazaar*masters of both
Manama and Muharraq, and other notabilities of the Islands.
The Chief, too, has invariably listened to my remonstrances in the petty
matters which I have had occasion to bring before him. I cannot however
overlook the fact that Sheikh Isa and his family now entertain the deepest
suspicion regarding the pacific system of penetration which they believe is to be
inaugurated by the reformatian of the Customs, and the fact that I was so
closely connected with the coercive measures that have recently been adopted
is, I fear, not one that tends to give them confidence in the genuineness of my
friendship. It will be up-hill work to overcome this feeling, and in the
meanwhile I hope the Government of India will not press for the introduction of
re f orms which we cannot claim to be entitled to on explicit (i.e., treaty)
grounds.
24. With regard to the suggestion about a selected Wazir Minister. , the local
candidate is a first-cousin of the present incumbent, and is at present styled
Wazir Minister. to Sheikh Flamed. If this man accompanies Sheikh Flamed to India, it
may perhaps later on be found that there is no great objection to his eventually
succeeding to the post,
25. As to the re-organization of the Police force, it may perhaps be possible
later on to convince the Chief that the permanent maintenance of such a force
would be an infinitely greater source of strength than the wild Bedouin on
whom he at present affects to rely, and that if he had 200 or 300 disciplined
men, to protect and reinforce the ordinary population of the Islands when threat
ened with Bedouin attacks, he could easily do without the assistance of our
men-of-war.
26. I do not advise that this matter be broached with the Chief, until after
Government have decided in favour of forbidding the ingress of the Bedouin
hordes to Bahrein, and only then after the Chief has himself raised the
question as to how he is to protect his islands in the absence of his Bedouin.
27. Briefly to recapitulate the policy which I recommend, I think that the
Chief should be firmly told that though hitherto the Government of India have
abstained from interfering in or noticing matters which concern only the Chief
and his subjects, they cannot permit the protection which they give him to
be used as a shelter from which he may tyrannize over and ill-treat his subjects
without let or hindrance, as thereby an undesired stigma is liable to become
attached to the Government’s name. [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. therefore has been
given orders to take notice of all cases of injustice by whomsoever and on
whomsoever committed in Bahrein and to press for the offenders’ punishment;
besides this it is his duty to see that all Treaty obligations are rigorously obser-
ed by the Chief’s subjects] ; on their part, the Government, while of course
maintaining their right to offer friendly advice for the increased welfare of
the Chief and his subjects on every matter which comes before them, are
quite ready to leave undiminished the internal sovereign rights of the Chief,
where they do not involve the Government of India in dishonour.
28. If this policy is approved, I am confident that the Sheikh’s faith in our
bond fdes will soon return, whilst at the same time I shall be given numerous
opportunities of striking at his evil advisers, and exposing their misdeeds. When
the opportunities for making money by illegal methods contract, the demands
on all sides for increased allowances and salaries will arise, and the Chief will
at last find himself really pressed for money. Within the next two years—that
is, before the Bunniahs’ customs contract expires—I anticipate that Sheikh Isa
will feel the necessity for applying to Government earnestly for assistance. I