Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎320v] (645/1028)

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reasons for the falling off in the number of Indian Hajjis, but both were probably
looking out for money and were grateful for the tip which Shaikh Hamad gave
them.
A disreputable Austrian named Mraz and his wife also paid Bahrain a visit
with the intention of proceeding on the Haj overland. They were some four months
late or eight months early for this, and their pretensions to being converts to Islam ^
were not taken seriously as the man seemed to know little of his new religion, "
and replied to queries that " he did not hold with any particular sect, but Islam
generally.” As they lived by begging, the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. were asked to prevent such
persons being given visas in future, and orders were issued to prevent a recurrence
of such visits. A number of destitute Indian Hajjis also arrived and were repatri
ated at considerable expense.
On an average three requests for repatriation or monetary assistance, were
received by 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. daily, and it was impossible to help any save a
fraction of the most distressing cases.
Nejd .—Under the iron hand of Bin Saud, Hasa and Xejd produced little in the
way of interest during the past year. Bin Jiluwi, the heavy handed governor
of Hasa. appeared to have regained his former ability and overcame the effects of
the stroke he suffered after hearing the news of his son Fahad's death in battle the
year before. He is a patriarchal governor of the old school and is held in whole
some awe by the bedouin, and the Oj air-Hasa road was consequently safe through
out the year. • i
The excessive taxation coupled with the bad pearling season and poor date
market ruined the Qatif oasis, and what little trade there was mostly went to
\ Jubail, a port in which the Qusaibis are largely interested. This is of new creation
I and owes its rise to the Kuwait blockade but consists of little more than two rows
of houses and a Customs house and small pier.
Muhammad bin Suwaillim, the Amir of Qatif, who had shown himself to be
thoroughly friendly to the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , was dismissed towards the close of the year,
being tinally succeeded by Abdul Rahman bin Khairullah. There was no recru
descence of the Bahama trouble at Qatif and no persecution of genuine Bahrainis.
The nationahty problem is one that is much better left to solve itself locally and
a modus mvendi has been found.
There seems to be an extension of effendi-ism and bureaucratic control in
Bin Baud's eastern provinces, and Muhammad-al-Tawil, the omnipotent Customs
Director of Hasa, has usurped much power formerly vested in the Amir s. A
Diving Court, has now been set up in Qatif modelled on the one at Bahrain, and if it
is properly run it will be another benefit that Bahrain has enforced on its neigh
bours, for the Qatar divers have demanded diving books and proper accounts on
the lines of those their Bahrain brethren enjoy.
Since almost everyone within two hundred miles must now come to Bahrain
if he is to obtain a loan or finance himself, it will be seen that Bahrain is playing
an increasing part in the economic life of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and such business is
done on the terms of the Bahrain merchants.
The question of waiving re-export dues for goods destined for Bin Saud was not
raised again, but it is not believed that the Xejd Government will rest content with
the present situation, and they have already enquired the price of buoys, with
a view to making Ras Tanura a port. They have failed so far to find water there,
but there is nothing to prevent its being piped from 10 miles away.
W ith the exception of the Amir of Qatif and a grudging recognition by Bin
Jiluwi, the policy of the Xejd officials seems to be to ignore the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , and none
ever visit it though they frequently come to Bahrain on business. Though fana
ticism has diminished, the Christian is not persona grata in the Hasa, and a Xejdi
fresh frcm his native wilds will avoid shaking the polluted hand of the Political
Agent even in Shaikh Hamad s majlis, or will extend two fingers like a duchess
at a graden party.
By the close of the year almost every town of importance in Xejd and Hasa
had oeen fitted with wireless. The plants are supplied by the British Marconi
i 'ompany.