File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎109v] (223/616)

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26. Six months later Major Dickson reported
(1) Political situation wholly unsatisfactory.
(2) Strong long standing and deep-seated anti-British sentiment.
(3) British prestige rests on fear and not on respect.
He also stated that Shaikh Isa was a very old and weak man with sincere feelings
of friendship for His Majesty's Government but easily swayed and confused in his
judgment by astute minds and intrigues dictated for the most part by intentions
evil to him and to us. It is amusing to note that as far back as 1898-i899 Colonel
Meade had referred to Shaikh Isa as a very old man with a weak character.
About the same time Government interfered in a difference between Shaikh Isa
and Ibn Saud regarding the duties to be charged on goods proceeding to Hasa.
Shaikh Isa was compelled to accept 2 p. c. duty much to his chagrin as he considered
Government had favoured Ibn Saud at his expense.
27. In the meantime Shaikh Abdulla had visited England and had an interview
with Sir Arthur Hertzel which was illuminating with regard to the Shaikh’s feelings
Shaikh Abdulla asked that—
(1) Shaikh Isa should be put on an equality with neighbouring Arab rulers
in the exercise of authority over all persons except subjects of Great
Britain and the Great European powers (i.e., Nejdis and Persian, etc,)
(2) Shaikh Isa should be empowered to select the Bench of Magistrates.
(3) Shaikh Isa should be given a port at Zubarah 18th-century town located 105 km from Doha. in Qatar.
(4) Shaikh Isa should be given permission to correspond direct with London.
I need not dilate on the last two points. The first two were part of the senti
ment for which Shaikh Isa had been fighting throughout, that is to say his pride of
position with his fellow Arabs and his idea of his independence.
28. During 1920 the question of jurisdiction over Nedjis and the people of Hasa
had caused some friction between Shaikh Isa and the Political ‘Agent.
On the 5th May 1920 the Secretary of State for India informed Shaikh Abdulla
by letter, through the usual sources, that with reference to his first demand of the
previous year, quoted above, the Government agreed that the Shaikh of Bahrain
should exercise jurisdiction over the subjects of other Arab Rulers, provided that
the Rulers themselves concurred, but on the 8th of the same month the Political
Agent had already stated that Bin Saud objected to the Shaikh controlling his
subjects and in July reported that Bin Saud had in writing requested him to exercise
the jurisdiction in question.
1 he Shaikh of Qatar sent a similar request.
TJ 16 J^hiJcal Agent accordingly issued a notice on the 26th November 1920
mt all Poreign subjects including Persians and subjects of Arab rulers and Chiefs
0 ,TT ^anthose of Bahrain are, while residing in Bahrain, entitled to the protection
p r+ 1,S i a J esty s ^ over P men L Thus jurisdiction over all foreigners passed to the
o i real Agent. The situation naturally caused friction with Shaikh Isa and left
nun smarting.
29. In 1921 Major Daly who had succeeded as 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. summed up the
situation in Bahrain in the following terms
Shaikh Isa s wife holds a regular court and imprisons and punishes at her
will with a total disregard of the most elementary laws of even Ara j
justice. Ihe Salifeh diving court has degenerated into a single vena
ju ge owing to Shaikh Isa having become deeply indebted to Has i
, .anna a disturbing element is the rapid increase 0
e amily of al Khalifeh. There is no outlet for the many young er
j^ m ,, ers an d n o attempt is made to educate them for any occiip a
ShiahH rf : v ’ ou ; s l y reported the gross oppression practised on 1
father awl Inert f hahfel ; and especially by Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa, who had
er s complete confidence and consequently ruled Bahrain.
aDnob 0 tii n hh 9 tl- t « e v, r -f i , n ?, disContent frightened Shaikh Abdulla, and Shaikh
PI ed his heir Shaikh Hamad to ta ke over the control of affairs under las
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