'File XXII 4 Koweit relations with Bahrain.' [‎48r] (95/106)

Of course, the Tmcial Coast and Qatar Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. would have to go slow
the matter of schools, etc., for some years, but if Bahrein is to be the model
Arab Principality, 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. , Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , could work slowly up
to the model.
Mascat. —I need hardly mention ; there are enough schemes on foot for its
development.
Persian Mekran is a source of continual anxiety to me. ' There can be no
doubt that the whole province is in a thoroughly unsatisfactory state, and
unless we assert ourselves in some forcible way, it will not be possible to carry
out the annual repairs of the land line next cold weather. I only propose at the
moment a repetition of Keyes’ Mission, with a commission to report on the
best political arrangements for the future. But something of the kind abso
lutely must be done, unless Government prefers the obvious alternative of
abandoning the land line (we could not pull it up, without an armed party), and
laying an additional cable Here again I think we shall find ourselves obliged
to spend rather more money, and have permanent political representation.
This would be better justified, in that I am sure the solid and responsible
elements among the Baluchis would welcome it, as a good excuse for dropping
their wearisome and expensive feuds.
Finally, of course, if we are going in for a general' civilising mission in
these waters, the coast al tract from Lin gab to Bushire offers an excellent, and
absolutely vergin, field. But I think the above sketch provides enough for the
time being ; and the susceptibilities of the Tehran Government would doubt
less be outraged by our attempting to do any good for their nominal
subjects. y
Memorandum No. 6 -Cf, dated Bahrein, the 5th January 1920. {Secret.)
Fr.>m— Major H. K. V. Dickson, C.I.E., 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,
r ,. J The Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
0 FTbe Deputy Political .Resident, Bushire.
The attached note on the existing political situation in Bahrein is for
warded for information.
The note is compiled from close personal study and observation of the
people of Bahrein during the last two months, also for valuable material left
behind by my predecessor Captain N. N. E. Bray, M.C.
Note on the political situation in Bahrein as existing at the end of J919,
icith suggestions and proposals for improving the situation.
1. I arrived in Bahrein on November 6 th, 1919, and since my arrival I have
taken pains to try and get at the bottom of the curious atmosphere of hosti
lity which seems to exist everywhere in Bahrein for the foreigner and more
especially towards the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . To accomplish my purpose I have spent much
time interviewing persons, great and small, and have taken special care to get
at the confidence of people by frequent visits and dinner parties at the houses
of residents of all shades of opinion, both neutral, Sunni and Shiah. I have
also been largely helped in my investigations by riding round among the many
hamlets of the Island and chatting over a cup of coffee with the local head
man surrounded by his villagers in the local guest chamber. The general
conclusions that I have arrived at are enumerated below.
2. In my opinion— v
(a) The political atmosphere of Bahrein while not in any way dangerous
is wholly unsatisfactory.
(ft) There is a strong anti-British sentiment which is long standing and
deepseated.
(c) British prestige rests on entirely false standards, namely on fear and
not on respect.
I consider our task therefore both extremely difficult, yet imperative.