File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎172r] (348/616)

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unscrupulous spies and tale-bearers to get up some false complaints against me
which were secretly entertained by the authorities, and which in all probability,
were adopted as materials for confidential reports to Government on the strength
of which ex-parte and untested reports, the orders of Government against me were
obtained and enforced against me. I appeal to your Lordship not to rely on
any ex-parte complaints or representations and reports against me, and to afford me
full opportunity to test and answer them and to test the grounds on which I have
been adjudged incapable of managing the affairs of my State even with the help
of an assistant chosen and approved by the authorities themselves, and unfit to
carry on the administration of the State.
17. I submit that the internal affairs of a people are their own concern
with which outside authorities could not interfere with their own conceptions of
reformed and civilised and “civilizing” Government, alien to the genius of the
people and sought to be forcibly imposed on them; and that it is the right of the
people to determine their own form and system of administration and to work
out their destiny in their own way. The acts of the Consular Authorities of
which I complain and the condonation of such acts by the higher authorities
are, I submit, a flagrant negation of these high principles by which eminent British
Statesmen consistent advocates of the doctrine of self-determination, have always
stood, and in seeking justice at your Lordship's hands I am pleading for
translating these principles into deeds.
18. May I remind your Lordship also of the solemn pledges given by the
British Government at the most critical period of the great world-war to the Arab
rulers and people who loyally stood by the side of Government and afforded them
invaluable help, to respect and uphold their independence and their rights. It will
be a strange commentary on the sincerity of these pledges if acts such
as are disclosed in my memorial, constituting a clear violation of this independence
and these rights, are approved and upheld by the highest authorities on secret
ex-parte reports without full investigation. Such approval will be calculated
seriously to shake our people’s confidence in the justice and good faith of
Government, and to strenothen the belief that whatever the ostensible plea
alleged for my deposition, the real motive must have been very different. 19
19. It is to guard against the serious implications and reactions of such
a policy as the authorities have chosen to pursue as much as to vindicate my
position and rights and the rights of my people that I approach Your Lordship
with this Appeal for justice which has hitherto been denied to me. I am
prepared to face any open and impartial inquiry which Your Lordship may be