File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎152r] (309/531)

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himself up as a hostage, and was sent to <c Sphinx” for safe custody. When on
board her he at once took precedence of Sheikh Hamid (Esa’s son, and recognized
successor), and in the two interviews I held, treated Hamid with scant ceremony.
12. Mullah Achmed’s house was surrounded by marines on the 1 st March after
the women had been removed, but it was found to contain little else than books, so was
left undisturbed. ,
i 13. On the 28th the new police force at Manamah were mustered neai tne
psidency for Captain Prideaux’ inspection. Their pay was then settled, sergeants
selected/and their duties explained The bazaar master, however, disclaimed all
responsibility for breaches of the peace committed by sheikhs or their followers, and
stated that Sheikh Esa had appointed another person to look after them.
14. At 8-30 a.m. on the 2nd March, accompanied by Major Cox, I called ui on
Sheikh Esa to say good-bye. We then met his son Abdullah and grandson (the eldest
son of late Sheikh Salamah), also his brother Khalid, the Governor of Ar Rufa, he
visit was a purelv formal one, and Sheikh Esa bad no complaints to make, nor news to
give us of the persons that had fled.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. B. EUSTACE,
Captain and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Division,,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Memorandum, of Demands made by the Officiating 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. m the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
upon Sheikh Esa-bin-AH, Chief of Bahrein, by order of the Government of India,
February 25, 1905.
I AM desired first to remind you of the long continued friendship and
support which have been accorded by the British Government to the Rulers of
Bahrein.
2 . I have next to remind you that these favours have also been extended to you
personally. . .
Upon the death of vour father, Sheikh Ali-bin-Khalifah, the British Government
caused the usurper, Muhammed-bin-Abdullah to be expelled, and yourself installed
in your father’s place. You have ever since received the support of the British
Government.
3 . In February 1901 you were notified by the Resident that, in accordance with
your express wish, "the British Government recognized your son, Sheikh Hamid, as your
successor to the Chieftainship.
4. They further offered you the services of a British officer to administer with more
efficiency the customs of Bahrein. This offer you refused.
5 . These are evidences of the friendly and benevolent spirit which has been con
sistently displayed towards you by the British Government. You owe, in the main,
to them your present position, the means that you enjoy, and your continued occupation
of the Chieftainship.
6 . Notwithstanding these facts, and notwithstanding the assurances which have
been given by you, especially on the occasion of the imprisonment in 1873 of a mail
agent in the employ of a British trading Company, when you promised to abide
“ Inshalla ” by the advice of 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. , you have not maintained your
friendship towards the British Government, and have conducted yourself in a manner
which cannot he permitted to continue.
7 . You have now refused to accept advice which 1 have repeatedly offered on
behalf of the British Government, with a view to the amicable settlement of the difficulties
which have arisen in connection with the recent assault by subjects of yours on certain
Persians. The final reply given by you when I last visited you on the 8 th December,
1904, was to the following effect: “ I have only one answer to give, namely, that I will
do nothing in this case except after trial by my own Shariat-ar-Urf Court.” You were
then informed why this procedure could not be agreed to, and though every consideration
was shown to you, you still remained obdurate, and thus barred the way to a satisfactory
conclusion being arrived at. You have also, in spite of my own repeated representa
tions and those of the Assistant 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. at Bahrein, Captain Prideaux, entirely
failed to keep under proper control your nephew, iSheikh Ah, who has undoubtedly been