File 951/1912 Pt 1 'Bahrein Order in Council' [‎192r] (394/424)

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No. 1350-G.j dated Simla, the 15th June 1909 (Confidential).
From—The Deputy Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign
Department,
To— Majoe P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., 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. .
With reference to the correspondence ending with yonr telegram,* dated
*No. 465 of secret e., Feb. 1908, Nos. 464-466. the 5th January 1908, I am directed to
tTo secretary of state. No. iss-Secret, dated the forward herewith a copy ot correspondencef
state, K o.ii-Secet,dated the with His Majesty’s Secretary of State for
2 ist May 1909 . India regarding the proposed Order m
Council conferring on 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. at Bahrein jurisdiction over British
subjects and foreigners in Bahrein.
2. I am to request that, as directed by the Secretary of State the Political
Agent may he instructed to approach the Sheikh, with the object of obtaining
from him, as a necessary preliminary to the issue of the Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. , a
request that the British Government will relieve him of the responsibility of
exercising jurisdiction over foreigners in the Island, and that the result may
be reported to this Department at an early date.
No. 1863, dated Bushire, the 31st July 1909.
From— Majob P. Z. Cox, C.SJ., C.I.E., 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. ,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
In reply to Poreign Department letter No. 1350-G., dated 15th June 1909,
I have the honour to submit a copy with translation of the letter furnished to
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. , Bahrein, by Sheikh Esa, asking Government to relieve him
of responsibility of exercising jurisdiction over foreigners.
2. The text of the letter down to the words »foreigners only are con
cerned,” is practically what was recommended to him by 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. .
The reservation contained in the remaining words is an addition ot the Sheikh s
own.
But as its effect is simply that such cases will be disposed of by the Joint
Court and gives foreigners the same treatment that British subjects now
receive, there seems no need for exception to be taken to it, and I trust the
letter as now received will be considered to suffice.
If at any time the procedure in regard to British subjects is modified, by
the same analogy foreigners would be covered by such modification.
3. The Sheikh’s indirect allusion to the Joint Court, however, makes it
advisable for us to consider carefully in bringing out the Order m Council, the
effect which the grant to 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. of regular civil Powers will have
upon the working of the machinary at present employed for the disposal of
ffivil claims in Bahrein ; and the extent to which those powers if granted need
be published for the present. .
It would, however, be more convenient to go into this question with ot lers
when considering in detail the terms of the Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. , when its issue is
finally decided upon.
Translation of a letter dated the 16th July 1909 (28th Jemadi II 1327), from Sheikh Esa bin
Ali At Khalifa to Captain C. F. Mackenzie, 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.
(Received with Political Agent’s letter No. C.-2, dated 17th July 1909.)
After compliments .—It is not hidden from you that I have had consider
able trouble in many cases (that arose) in my territory m which foreigners
were involved. For this reason I wish that I may not be held responsible in
ftese cases and I would be grateful to ^ British Government if they remove
this trouble and responsibility from me. I mean that it (the British Gov
ment) should exercise authority in all cases in which the foreigners only are
concerned, but not in other cases; and in cases that occur between foreigners
and my subjects, it is necessary that you and I should settle them jointly.