"ملف ‏19/109 II (C 17)‎ البحرين: علاقات الحاكم مع القوى الخارجية الأخرى" [و‎‎٤‎٧] (٥٣٤/٩٩)

CONFIDENTIAL
No. 1129. dated Bushire, the 18th (received 27th) April 19144
From— Major S. G. Knox, C.I.E., Officiating Political Resident in the Persian
Gulf.
To The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Politicai
Department, Simla.
I have the honour to forward, herewith, copies of the correspondence, noted
Letter No. 378, dated sth April 1914, from the in the margin relating to the case of a
Political Agent, Bahrain, to the Political Resident, jew, Rafael bin Ezra Hayem, residing in
BU Letter No. 1128, dated 18th April 1914, from Bahrain and alleged to be a deserter from
the Political Resident, Bushire, to the Political ^ 'p ur } <; j s | 1 Redif, Amara circle.
Agent, Bahrain.
2. It did not appear from Major Trevor's letter that there was any likelihood
of an immediate regular demand for the man's surrender by the Turkish author
ities and it seemed to me dangerous to lay down any definite instructions for
dealing with so complicated a question as the extradition from Bahrain 01
deserters from the Turkish Army. I imagine that the Government of India
would prefer for the present at any rate to deal with each case on its merits as
it arises, and that action should not be taken without reference to them.
3. I shall be glad therefore to know if my instructions to the Political Agents
Bahrain, in this matter are approved.
No. 378, dated 5th April 1914.
From— major A. P. Trevor, C.I.E., Political Agent, Bahrain,
To— Major s. G. Knox, C.I.E., Officiating Political Resident in the Persian
Gulf, Bushire.
Shaikh ' Isa bin ' AB A1 Khalifah recently received a letter from the Acting
Vali of Basrah asking him to apprehend and send to Basrah a Jew named Rafael
bin Ezra Hayem who is alleged to be a deserter from the Turkish Redif, Amara
circle.
This individual is in Bahrain, unless he has been given a hint to clear out
by any one, and is known to me.
I understand that Shaikh ' Isa is going to send an evasive reply. He seems
to have some rooted objection to ignoring communications from the Vali of
Basrah, a course which I and my predecessors here have constantly advised him
to adopt.
I now have the honour to enquire what is the correct course to pursue
regarding deserters. I am under the impression that simple desertion from
the Turkish Army or reserve is not an extraditable offence, and that should the
Shaikh desire to send back to Basrah any deserter, I ought to resist such a
proposal, all such deserters being of course under the protection of the Agency
as foreigners. No extradition treaty exists of course between Bahrain and Tur-
kev nor could there be one until Turkey has formally renounced her claim to
the Islands, but I presume the Political Agent could act on the analogy of the
general Extradition rules in the case of any criminal charged with a serious
offence, whose apprehension was demanded by the Turkish authorities in a regu
lar manner.
I beg to enquire whether my view of the position is correct.