File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎226r] (457/531)

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They were both tried and both endeavoured to make a farce of it, and after
one or two futile experiments the services of a blue-jacket were called in as a
last resort, and two dozen strokes suitably administered in the presence of the
doctor.
The flogging was performed in the public street outside the British
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. .
13. I have now completed the narrative of the progress and details of the
case and feel that an apology is necessary for the tedious length which the
relation of them has achieved. Had Bahrein difficulties ended with the present
case I should not have thought it necessary to report in such detail. But in
order to deal with the second case which I have to report upon in continuation
of my telegram, “Bahrein Affairs No. 2,” dated 12th instant, the Government
of India will, I think, find it necessary to take the whole situation now existing
at Bahrein into serious review. It is consequently most important that they
should be in a position to form conclusions on the detailed facts reported apart
from any personal views which Captain Prideaux or I may be found to put
forward.
14. As regards the chastisement of Sheikh Ali’s truculent retainers,
Captain Prideaux and I had plenty of opportunities during the remaining five
days of my stay in Bahrein of gauging its effect. I can only say that both
missionaries, merchants and others with whom we came in contact were of
opinion that in the eyes of all law abiding members of the Manama community,
Arab or otherwise, the punishment exacted had been badly needed and had had
a highly salutary effect.
15. As regards the incident generally I have the honour to point out that
when the temporary situation at Bahrein came to my knowledge on 29th
November I had to regard it from three points of view—
(1) That a young European trader of quiet and inoffensive character
had been severely assaulted and that in order to reassure European
subjects of our own and those of other Powers for the safety of
whose subjects in Bahrein we are morally responsible, prompt
and vigorous action was evidently necessary.
(2) That Herr Wonckhaus’s reference to the German Consulate at
Bushirehad brought into prominent issue the nature of our quasi-
protectorate in Bahrein in the same way that French action has
recently done in another connection, and that the German
Government or any other Government similarly interested would
gain an opening for assailing our regime, if they could show
that we could not or did not give their subjects effective
protection.
I may add confidentially that I find that my active Bussian colleague
thought the Bahrein incidents of sufficient public interest to
send a long wire to his Government on the subject.
( 3 ) It was evident from the reports of our local officers that owing to
the weakness of Sheikh Esa’s rule a considerable amount of
rowdyism was generally prevalent in Manama which it was
necessary to repress.
16. I shall say more on the subject of Sheikh Ali’s future when reporting
on the second incident. Meanwhile I beg that as soon as possible after perusal
of the foregoing the Government of India will be pleased to instruct me by
telegraph to the following effect so far as is in accordance with their own
view s:—
(1) That the compensation money of Bs. 1,000 may be paid over to
Mr, Bahnson.
( 2 ) That I may be permitted to warn Sheikh Esa as from Government
that Sheikh Ali will not be permitted to return to Bahrein at the
expiry of the provisional three weeks’ absence stipulated for by
me, should it so happen that Government have not been able
within that time to come to a decision with regard to him.
The undertaking obtained from Sheikh Esa in this connection forms
enclosure No. 14 to this report.
3263 F. D.