File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎271r] (546/616)

will and the will of his people without just cause ? Is it a reform to deport,
imprison and fme people by thousands and tens of thousands without trial ?
Is iu a reform to iep;ace tne Manama Police by armed foreigners who have
pio\ed to be the pnncjpal mischief mongers ? Is it a reform to make Maior
Dal} tne ; entre of the legislative the judiciary and the executive powers ; for
ne is a legislator, a judge and an executor. Is it a reform to abuse respectable
persons on trial in commercial suits ? Is it a reform to do away with all the
courts and keep only one in a country like Bahrein to which tribunal should be
submitted all complaints and petitions irrespective of their being summary or
long causes and irrespective of their being criminal or otherwise? And
which will hold session only once or twice a week ? Is it a reform to transfer
the revenue of the country to an English bank without the consent of the
people (though it is their money paid out of their pockets) ? To conclude let
us grant that all these are the reforms which the civilization of the 20 th
century has determined and that Mr. Daly came to bring the glad news of
them. But is it lawful for a man to seize the house of another on the ground
that it is in great need of reforms ?
In fact for real reforms the people have endeavoured and have been
striving, but Major Daly blocked the way and came between their efforts
for the country’s good to such an extent that he transferred the municipality
w r hich is the outcome of the work and efforts of the people, to aliens who are
hated by the people. As to the so called reforms being executed in all
circumstances, to that we do not and will never agree and we do not think
your Excellency would have forced it on us if your Excellency had been
acquainted with the facts. We will try our best to preserve our self-respect
religion and country by all lawful means. Should force interpose between us
and the preservation of our religion and national honour, we will emigrate out
of the country. Yes we will leave the country with tears in our eyes and sighs
heaving from our boosoms ! And thousands have already emigrated 2 days
ago to a place where they won t meet a despot like Mr. Daly. \ es, it is a
matter of regret and the tribes of the Arab nation have certainly censured us
for so doing but there is no help. T he treaty is being trodden upon ; law is
bein" neglected; Government has been done away with; liberty is being
infringed; honour is bei::g .scorned at, contempt is being poured down,
complaints go unheard. These are the reforms, they say, which are very badly
wanted in Bahrein. Yes there were faults in the Government, but the people
were striving after reforms and the then Government agreed to carry out their
wishes. The proof of (hat may be found in the petitions sent to Shaikn Isa
one after another. But the Consul always came between Shaikh Isa and the
reforms to be-introduced and every body knows that 2 years ago the people