File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎107r] (218/616)

But they do hold communication with Tbn Saud.
76 Am I then an alarmist when I consider that with the growth and advance of
the Wahabi power, with the activity reported 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. , vide paragraph
fil with the absorption of principalities foreshadowed as possible in paragraph 8 of
Foreign Office letter No. E. 6118/180/91, dated November 3rd, 1926 ? We have
food for thought*
In 1870 Midhat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Wali of Baghdad formulated a definite claim to Bahrain
as appertaining to the Qaim Majamteq of Nejd and geographically it belongs to
Qatar and Hasa.
We have found that the growth of nationalist spirits in China, in Persia and in
the East generally, has produced new circumstances which we have had, at any
rate partially to accept. Would not the growth of a nationalist Arab and Islamic
spirit make our position in Bahrain a matter of considerable difficulty, if that
position were left in its present indefined condition.
77. My more definite suggestions in this reference I make in my accompanying
despatch on our position with regard to internal affairs in Bahrain.
A copy of this despatch is being sent to His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran.
( 10 )
Letter from the Hon ble 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. ,
No. 295- S., DATED THE 1ST SEPTEMBER 1927.
In my accompanying despatch No. 294-S., dated to-day (S. No. 9), I have
dealt at length with the history of Bahrain, the growth of our political interest in
it and international claims with reference to the archipelago.
I now propose to deal with the development of our concern in the purely in
ternal affairs of the island up to the present day.
2. This interest may be said to date from 1877. I quote extensively from
Lorimer.
In 1869, we had installed Shaikh Isa as ruler of the Island and it was entirely,
and only, due to our support that he had been able to keep his position.
Since the year mentioned the British Government considered that they were
bound “ to prevent grave outrage or oppression by the ruler, or at any rate not to
remain unconcerned spectators of such acts of violence, but rather use their influence
to repress them”. In consequence the Resident wus authorised to convey to Shaikh
Isa and to his brother Shaikh Ahmed, who was his Chief Adviser and had a stronger
character than the Shaikh the emphatic disapproval of Government at an act which
the latter had committed in killing a first cousin of the Shaikh and to convey
a warning against such conduct in the future.
The above statements are the key to all future developments in Bahrain.
3. From 1877 to 1900 we were chiefly concerned with external matters though
attempting with our advice to improve internal conditions. At this time the
financial condition of the state seems to have given us most concern and we were
attempting to improve the customs system which had much leakage.
Up to 1879 the Assistant Resident in Bushire occasionally spent some time
on the Islands but in 1900, as will be seen in the body of th6 report, an uncovenant-
ed official was appointed to reside on the Island. By this time Lord Curzon was
Viceroy and it is probable his interest in the Gulf and Persian affairs focussed our
attention on matters connected with it. In 1903 on his visit to Bahrain Lord
1 urzon considered that an officer of the Political Service w r ould have more in
fluence with the Shaikh and accordingly one was appointed in 1904. From this
flate our interest in internal matters increased. During the five years of the war
J 10 ^ction was taken but in 1919, probably owing to the treatment of the Shiahs
having provoked a protest in Tehran, our immediate interest in the misrule of
ie state became very much greater and on our finding Shaikh Isa entire y o i
structive he was removed from active control his son Hamad acting as Ins
Deputy.
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