File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎229r] (462/616)

3
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. . It would be convenient if the answer could be sent prior to, or
about the time of, Colonel Prideaux’s arrival, as the Shaikh and mischief-makers at
Bahrain are certain to petition and agitate on a change of Resident just as they did
when I returned from leave, and if an unfavourable reply to the Shaikh’s petition
were delivered before or at Colonel Prideaux’s first visit to the Island it would go
fur to silence the clamour. In any case it would not be advisable unless circum
stances urgently demand it—for my successor to visit Bahrain until he can take
with him an answer from the Government of India to Shaikh Isa's petition,which
will 1 trust be to the effect that they have nothing to add to the communications
already made to him.
Copy forwarded with compliments to 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. , Bahrain, for inform
ation.
Enclosure of Serial No. {2). —Comment on Memorial from Sh'ikh Sir Isa
Bin Ali Al Khalifa, K.C.S.I., of Bahrain, to His Excellency the
Viceroy, dated 13th February 1924.
When the memorial was forwarded to Government it was not thought neces
sary to make any comment as each and ( very mutter connected with the mis-
government of Shaikh Isa and the reforms which were initiated in June 1923 under
the instruc t ons of His Majesty’s Governmen. have been reported to the Goverum mt
of India. But as comment has now been called for, the following remarks are
offered taking the paragraphs of Shaikh Isa’s memorial seria im.
1 . After the words “ installed on the throne ” Shaik Isa has omitt d to put
“ by the British Government ” and inserted “ by the will and approbation, etc.”
for which, as far as is known, there is no authority.
2 . Subject to the proviso that the government of the Shaiks is reasonably
good and not such as to bring odium on the Protecting Power. Shaikh Isa has
not got to go farther than the removal of his predecessor and his own elevation
to the hliaikhdom for precedent for interference by the British Government. It
is cerumen report in Bushire that Shaik Isa was installed as Shaikh on condition
that he ruled well and with justice. Though I have no official confirmation of this,
it is so commonly believed and stated in Bushire, and such a likely condition
for Sir Lewis Pelly to have made, that I believe it to be correct.
3. Shaikh has omitted reference to nrsgovernment which is a recognized
reason for interference by the Protecting Power.
4. Shaikh describes h’s rule as “ peaceful and popular ’ ; it has been peaceful
from outside aggression thanks to the protection of the British Government, but
by no m 3 ans so internal’y for the indigenous population who have been ill-
treated, looted and murdered by Shaikh Isa and with perfect impunity by every
member of his own family and all the petty Shaikhs of the Al Khalifa who desired
to act in such a way ; and popular with a small section of the Sunni tribal heads
and nakhudas because they could do what they liked. It is emphatically unpopu
lar with the Shiah majority as countless petitions and reports have shown.
5. No “ consul ” as far as is known has ever reported favourably on Shaikh
Isa’s Government. “ Toleration ” would describe the feelings of most of the
consuls ” better than “ friendliness and goodwill.”
6 . Before coming to Bahrain Major Daly was serving in Mesopotamia for
three years ; there is no evidence he ‘ conceived a serious dislike for the Arab
} eople. ’ “ Forcing on me inadmissible concessions ” apparently refers to the
proposed oil concession to the D’Arcy Exploration Company. In point of fact
^11 that was done was to endeavour to make the Shaikh adhere to his promise
n °t to grant a concession to a company not approved by the British Government
and to give one rather to the D’Arcy Company, whose application had been made
two years earlier, rather than the Eastern Syndicate. r Ihe Shaikh refers to
the extraordinary plea of old age, etc.”—far from extraordinary in view of his re
cord. “ Wholesale fining, imprisonments, and deportations ” means as regards