File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎108v] (221/616)

2. On the 21st January 1905 the Government of India had expressed tli
opinion to the Secretary of State that the present opportunity seem 1
particularly favourable for proclaiming a protectorate.
3. On the 22nd February 1905 His Majesty’s Minister for Foreign Affairs
intimated to the Turkish Ambassador that it was a matter of common i
knowledge that the Island of Bahrain and its natives were under I
British protection.
4. On the 12th August 1895 the British Ambassador had informed the !
Porte that all Turkish claims to Bahrain, which was under the pro
tection of the Queen of England , were totally inadmissible.
16. Major Cox had in his letter stated :
“ I do not see how we can expect anything but periodical trouble from a con
tinuation of our laudable endeavour to carry on the Government of the Islands
through the rule of a chief who has shown himself to possess few, if any. of the
qualifications necessary for the maintenance of order, the securi y of the persons
and of trade ”
His Majesty’s Government did not accept Major Cox's suggestion but resolved to
follow a more cautious policy. It was decided that for the time being the activity
of the British Political authorities should be confined to the direction and control
of the Shaikh's external relations and that the amelioration of the internal Govern
ment should be sought by in direct and pacific means and by gaining the con
fidence and trust of the Shaikh.
17. The position and influence of Great Britain were, however, so Lorimer
states, undoubtedly consolidated by the crisis of 1904-1905 and the relations of
the Shaikh with the British 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. improved, though the former still
regarded offers of advice as attempts to undermine his authority.
Irade increased by over 50 p. c. but no progress was made in the matter of
Customs reform.
But it was felt that some features of the internal administration were not
creditable to the protecting British power ”—I quote from Lorimer.
Ihe slave trade still flourished and slaves were freely imported from Qatar
and Hasa. Oppression of subjects was rife not only by the Shaikh and the members
of the A1 Khalifeh the ruling family but also by petty magistrates, and revenue
a ^^ oritl ® s an d specially by the Qazis who grossly abused their functions. The
ctiiet sufferers were the aboriginal cultivating population called the Bahama,
ra s 3 ^ religion, who lived in a condition of virtual serfage and were liable to
forced labour and similar hardships.
In 1905 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. was authorised to manumit slaves in suitable
and deserving cases.
en* on *^6 r u m ours were current which were not devoid of foundation,
iqoq 6 ai eSLrec j place himself under the protection of Turkey; but in
to eleven ^ 616 a PP arent J efficiently pleased with him to raise his salute of guns
downthp ?^^ 6 Se P temb er 1905 however the Government of India bad lad
StTte that “P f?> lr ? 0Sltl0n vis - a -* is Bahrains: They wrote to the Secretary of
therefore unrlpr n ^ am . ls bhe protecting power of Bahrain and Bahrain^
therefore under the protect.on 0 f Great Britain in the following sense.
The British Government and they alone, as distinct from Persia, Turkey
^ ei L P ower ’ c °utrol the Foreign relations (f Bahrain. e
nmt lkh tT b £ Und himself n ot to enter into relations with any other
r T^ r * . e British Government therefore undertake the protection
or foreigners.
4 negation is that Great Britain is bound
o tj u ° ? C 6 an( ^ s from any external aggression or assault-
^scendant^'^R^f ! n ^ uen( : e an( l authority are and must be in
and nrio-’ ln ^i ^ bram • This influence is political both n cbaraC r
mattpr? n ^ ^ 1 1 ves ^ rea I Britain the right to claim that inn
be followed^ ^ Sbe a ^ acbes high importance her advice n 1 s