Coll 35/20 'Persian Gulf: Bahrain; installation of a telephone communication between the wireless station of Imperial and International Communications Ltd at Manamah and the landing ground at Muharraq' [‎85r] (169/431)

INWARD TELEGRAMS
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Allotted to External Department
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CQmriDE^TlAL COPE TEIiSIRM
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.
Secretary of State for India
Repeated to 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 and Government of In ^® t ^ by
Dated
Received
Bahreinj 09.40 houra 9 26th October 1946
10.00 hours, 26th October 1946
iiZS
Your Sxt„3492/43 dated May 24th,
Bahrein telephones,
n
r
2. Local Manager of Cable and ¥ireless has written to
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, stating that "Company now considers
provision of an automatic exchange too ambitious and states
whole project must be reconsidered". He adds that "Company
is prepared to install and operate a new magneto system,
initial capacity of which would be 200 subscribers and capable
of'development for Manamah and at Muharraq sub-exchange cm same
system , with capacity to meet local demands.
3. Above has had unfortunate effect on Sheikh, and Adviser
has row written to 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. stating that Sheikh feels
that he has been let down by the Company "evading a definite and
written undertaking”. He is prepared to allow Company to
carry out its original undertaking, provided question cf tariff
is reconsidered, failing this he states that he proposes to
invite another firm to undertake installation.
4 I have discussed matter with Gott, Company's divisional
manager, and Siixclair, Telecommunication Attache, when cost ol
building and sites, difficulties in provision of suitable
cable due to level of sub-soil water were alleged as reasons
for non-fulfilment of undertaking. (This is in contradiction of
reason given in above quoted letter, para. No. 2 above).
Whatever real reason^, it is hard to believe that diffi-ul i
are insurmountable at reasonable cost, and in any case in /lew
of fact that Company made the original proposition vide your
telegram 23396, October 13th, 1944, and have been discussing
automatic telephones with Bahrein Government since then, & ud
as they have had apparatus on order since February, 1946, vide
vour express i*t.t*r Fxt. 1212/46 da ted February .gist their
decision at this stage that■automatic system is impracticable
creates a bad impression, and that at a time when Company
wish to negotiate concessions with Sheikh.
5, I consider it important in the interest of ,
enterprise that Cable and Wireless should realise situation and
take immediate steps to rectify their position yls~a~vls the
Bahrein Government and install an efficient and up to ®
telephone system. In view of the history of the case thxs
should undoubtedly be automatic, but for lack of technical
knowledge I am unable to press that poim: but add that
installation of another magneto system will be locally regard
as retrograde.
rr 6. Incidentally an initial installation oi 200 subscribers
M 1*. in my opinion, ridiculously low for Bahrein.