File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎238r] (481/531)

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11. The man responsible for this outbreak, I am convinced, is Sheikh Ali
bin Ahmed. You are aware that his tather until his death unofficially shared
■with Sheikh Isa in the Government of the Islands. He lived in the large
house on the sea shore in Manamah city which is still recognized as “ Govern
ment House ” and occupies the whole of one side of the open square in which
the Saluting Gun lies, and close to the Customs office and general landing
stage. This house is now the property of Sheikh Ali who took great offence at
Sheikh Isa’s appointing his son Sheikh Hamad to succeed to his father’s posi-
tiraT instead of himself. To console himself for the slight which he considered
put upon him, Sheikh Ali has formed around his person a bodyguard of big
men, mostly Negros who are a terror to all quietly disposed residents in the
Bazaar and whom I believe no man in the Chief’s entourage dares touch.
Nearly all the men who are implicated in the Bahnson affair have now also
taken part in this more recent case. It may be that Sheikh Isa is unwilling
to sCe the family dignity injured through the punishment even of a nephew
who is disloyal to himself, but I firmly believe now that my predecessor
Mr. Gaskin’s view is also correct that the Chief dare not attempt to exercise
fiieikh Ali. The fact that Sheikh Ali is disloyal at any rate in
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. to welcome my arrival, that if he had the share in the Government
which his father had held he would be happy to use his influence towards the
proper reformation of the Customs Administration.
12. I now have to make the following recommendations. In the absence
of a British gunboat it is certain that no punitive measures will be submitted
to by Sheikh Ali and his gang, either in the Wonckhaus case or the present
one. I hope that as quickly as possible a gunboat may be sent here, and, if
possible, allowed to remain here during the month of Ramzan, as I am not too
confident that even the Hindu community will be safe much longer.
13. I think that on the arrival of the man-of-war, Sheikh Ali should be
summond on board with all his male servants. Mr. Bahnson might be invited
on board and asked to identify the men who were concerned in the assault on
himself. All such, who may be known to have taken part also in the later
affair, should be soundly flogged on board, then sent to Moharrag for one year’s
imprisonment, and then expelled from the Islands in the event of security for
good behaviours not being forthcoming. I think such action on our part as
this is justified by the Chief’s weakness and actively wrongful attitude.
14. Sheikh Ali should he banished from Bahrein, and preferably made to
reside at Aden, for at least ten years. His brothers can administer his properties
and remit him the proceeds. The old “ Government House” should however
be made over at a valuation to the Chief for the use of his son Sheikh Hamad.
15. Finally, Sheikh Isa, I think, should be told emphatically that no disputes
between Shiahs and Sunnis are henceforth to be referred to the Shara Court,
any more than disputes between Hindus and Mahommedans are. The Shiahs,
who are mostly Persians, in the absence of the Shah’s Consular representatives
naturally look to us for protection, and as the British Government are interested
in the welfare of all classes in Bahrein, they cannot view with equanimity the
injustice even of making Bahrein Shiahs (who are all Persian by origin) submit
to the jurisdiction of a religious Court other than their own. All such cases
should be adjudicated upon by the Chief himself or by an impartial Mejlis.
From— Dr. S. J. Thoms, M.D., Surgeon to the Arabian Mission and the British
Assistant Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , Bahrein,
To— Captain F. B. Prideattx, 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. , Bahrein.
I saw nine of the wounded Persians you asked me to see and found two of
them in a critical condition from their wounds. Some of the others were badly
bruised and cut, but not sufficiently to endanger life.
Mahomed bin Rathi has four very bad scalp wounds and his back is one
mass of bruises. He had been having fever for some days before he was
wounded which makes his condition much more critical.
uncle is proved by his saying to me, when he called at the
Dated 15th November 1904.