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'File XXII 4 Koweit relations with Bahrain.' [‎46v] (92/106)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (53 folios). It was created in 7 Mar 1906-14 May 1920. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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I view with suspicion their activities at Hasa, especially this latest move
for buying dates and starting a date factory An East India Company trading post. there. I would like further
enquiries made as to the visit of Tomlinson on 14th-15th April. He came to
buy dates for Hill and Company. I have extremely reliable information that
he brought comparatively small quantities, but visited important merchants at
Najd and received orders for 3 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of cotton cloths. Further the missionaries
have entirely ceased to convert, are entertaining largely, are giving presents in
great numbers, holding Majlis and are particularly friendly to all those whom I
know to be hostile to ourselves. They at the best are neutral in opinions asked
by Arabs of rumour in our disfavour.
Remedy, If they entertain, I propose to double it; if they hold a Majlis, I
propose to do the same.
*****
I propose to place an Agent in Hasa for this and other reasons and pos-s
sibly in Qatif. Once again the above is only very briefly put,
(f) Shaikh Abdulla’s visit will, I hope, be the remedy to many evils in
administration and result in peace and progress, and I hope tp make tus visit
more one for educational purposes than pleasure, and I hope you will approve
my considering this to be the main object of the visit, the education of course
being made as pleasant as possible, but that I should constantly bear in mind
local requirements rather than sight-seeing as such.
(g) The Ikhwan movement .—That through the above progressive proposal^
we should use Bahrein as the place from which wp ipay hope to influence
central Arabia and educate it. That the Agent should pay frequent visits to
Hasa, Qatif, etc,, and invite the Amirs and some of their officials to Bahrein.
That agriculture should be encouraged on the mainland in order to employ
these fanatics more profitably. I understand that there are large areas capable
of irrigation with the aid of machinery. If this could be accomplished large
numbers of Ikhwan might be settled. Bin Saud has constantly broached the
subject, and I might make it one of my duties tp get estimates and see types
of pumps, etc., at home. We could illustrate their utility and introduce them *
at Hasa.
I know ho'vy hard up you are for cars, but I would be grateful for a Ford if
you can spare one at any time. I think that the Agent should know every
village in the Island, every Shaikh and every Amir and cpnstan tly visit them.
It is more likely that in the small villages people will talk and give me a fair
idea of what is going on in there. In Manama a Ford could go anywhere on
the Island and further could be taken to the mainland and possible motor
routes explored as far as Hasa on toward Riadh and Koweit.
* * * * f
Demi-official, dated Bushire, the 17th June 19f9.
From—G. H. Bill, Esq., Deputy 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. , Bushire, ^
To— 'Lieutenant-Colonel A. T. Wilson, C.I.E., D.S.O., C.M.G., 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. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Baghdad.
Bray’s demi-official of May 27th raises a large question of principle, which
applies not only to Bahrein, or even to Nejd, but to the whole of the territories
bordering on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . It is a question to which I have given much
thought, and the issue may be fairly stated as follows:—
Hitherto the historic role of the British Government in these waters has
been that of keeper of the Maritime Truce. Until very recent times our claims
to predominance in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , though well enough founded on our
performances in the role mentioned above, were not really much supported
by any exertions of ours in the direction of lighting and buoying, although
British statesmen were in the habit of assuming this for public consumption.
That has, however, now been remedied ; but the fact remains that Great Britain
has 1 been the maritime policeman of the Gulf, and very little more. Is it, or
is it not, desirable that we should take a pronou need step further, and assume
the responsibility for a gradual education of the Gulf populations on the lines
of Western civilisation ?

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes relating to Kuwaiti relations with Bahrain from 1906 to 1920.

The discussion in the volume relates to:

  • a note of a conversation between the Resident and Shaikh Mubarak [Shaikh Mubārak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ] of Kuwait concerning Nasir bin Mobarak bin al Khalifa the 'outlaw relative' of Shaikh Isa of Bahrain [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah];
  • reported expulsion of Jews from Bahrain;
  • Bahraini political exiles;
  • Shaikh Mubarak's visit to Bahrain, 1911;
  • A note by Acting Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia, Arnold Talbot Wilson, entitled 'Note on History of Zubara and Claims of Shaikh of Bahrein to Zubara', which includes (folio 44) a small sketch map illustrating the remarks in this note.

Included in the volume (folios 33-34) is a copy in Arabic and English translation of the letter of Nasir bin Mobarak bin al-Khalifa, Chief of the Al Abdullah branch of the Al Khalifa family of Bahrain to 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Also included is a map (folio 44) prepared by the Acting Civil Commissioner for Mesopotamia, Arnold Talbot Wilson, to illustrate his 'Note on History of Zubara and Claims of Shaikh of Bahrein to Zubara'.

The principal correspondents in the volume include: 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Percy Zachariah Cox and later, Francis Beville Prideaux; 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. , Kuwait, Stuart George Knox; the Acting Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia, Arnold Talbot Wilson; 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. , Bahrain, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer.

Extent and format
1 volume (53 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 53; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 2-52, and ff 3-39; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File XXII 4 Koweit relations with Bahrain.' [‎46v] (92/106), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/60, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100033163054.0x00005d> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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