File 522/1922 Pt 5 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Administration: Internal Affairs: British Interference' [‎49v] (109/356)

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( 6 )
MEMORANDUM.
ment, India Oftice, London
State for India, under cover
14th April 1927.
Letter from the Hon’ble the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the 1 ersian Gulf, ISo. 87-S.^
' dated the 27th March 1927 [Serial No. (5)].
Letter from the Hon’ble the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
No. 138-S. (Confidential), dated the 1st/7th May 1927.
1 I have the honour to state that in my letter No. 87-S., dated the 27th March
1927 [Serial No ( 5 )], reporting my action with regard to the Dowasir tribe which
desires to come back to Bahrein, I stated that a letter of recommendation which the
Dowasir chiefs had brought with them to me from Ibn Saud, was part of an ar
rangement between the Sheikh of Bahrein and the Dowasir chiefs, and that- Ihn
Sand’s recommendation was obtained with all of their knowledge to strengthen the
Sheikh of Bahrein’s hand with the Resident in the matter.
2 . In my report No. 87-S. quoted [Serial No. (5)], I gave my reasons for allowing
the return of the Dowasir, provided that it was made quite clear to them that they
came back as ordinary individuals, and I also gave obvious reasons for allowing
them to take back their neglected properties which were empty of owners and were
going through lack of care to rack and ruin ; even in the few cases where the places
had been purchased under pressure no development had been possible.
3 . The return of their properties has cost the State Rs. 40,000, but this Rs-
40,000 was money which had been paid into State funds and is now paid out again.
It is no loss but a gain as the properties will now once more be developed.
4 . I now forward a letter No. C.-53, dated the 24th April 1927, from the Political
Agent, Bahrein, which has arrived today with an enclosure, dated the 20 th Shawal
1345 from the Financal Adviser, Bahrein.
5 . The Political Agent’s letter will probably necessitate my visiting Bahrein
again. It is quite obvious that where the Dowasir tribe has been punished with
expulsion* for three years for offences which they have committed, they cannot be
given the rents which have accrued to the Bahrein Government during that
absence, without unaoing the result (object?) of the punishment given. It would
mean, not forgiveness, but a confession by us (not by Bheikh Hamad) that we
had been harsh.
6 . 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. suggests that a third of the rentals should be returned on
account of repairs necessary to the deteriorated properties and the poverty of the
tribe. I propose that if it is found that a sum is necessary for the rehabilitation of
the property, that that sum shall have no connection with the forfeited rentals.
I am prepared to recommend the Bahrein Government to allow, as a separate act of
government, such sum as may be necessary to enable the properties to become
habitable and productive, but the principle of the punishment given and the for
giveness on promise of better conduct for the future must be maintained.
7. For the same reason I propose to agree with 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. 's recom
mendation that no diver shall be forced to go back to the Dowasir with his previous
debt maintained against him. The pearl diving trade is built up on a form of
slavery dependent upon the debts of the divers, and the cancellation of such debts
will certainly be a very severe handicap to the Dowasir tribe.
8 . In any case it would be impossible for us to saddle the divers with their old
slavery, the more especially as they have probably acquired a new one with new
masters. The diver is an imprudent person, who readily takes and spends advances
which he can never rep^y.
9. The chief interest iij these letters, and the reason I attach them in full, is that
they show the growing strength of the Wahabi influence in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , but I *
am approaching tins subject in a separate despatch with reference to Bahrein.
* they -fcft of then oyu aecojil, vide 8. (1) and a'so page {2 in Fi'e 480-X
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