Page 18 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

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Records of Bahrain

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No. 1350-G., datod Simla, tho 15th Juno 1009 (Confidential). \
Proiu—Tho Deputy Secretary to tho Government of India in the Foreign V
Department, b
To—Major 1*. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political llcsidcnl in tho Persian Gulf.
'With rcfcronco to tho correspondence ending with your telegram,* dated
•No. .105 of semi K.. Feb. 1008. No.. 40moo. tho 5th January 1008,1 am directed to
HiiTifovcHiboM*°’ N°*168 Sccro'* dn,c<1 11,0 forward hcrowi th a copy of correspondence!
From Sorrotnry of Stnto, No. ll.Sccrcl. tinted Iho '"'iLll His Majesty*8 Secrotary of Slate for
21.1 Mny ioou. India regarding the proposed Order in
Council conferring on tho Political Agent at Bahrein jurisdiction over British
subjects and foreigners in Bahrein.
2. I am to request that, as directed by the Secretary of State tho Political
Agent may be instructed to approach tho Sheikh, with tho object of obtaining
from him, as a necessary preliminary to the issue of the Order in Council, a
request that tho British Government will relieve him of tho responsibility of
exercising jurisdiction over foreigners in tho Island, and that the result may
be reported to this Department at an early date.

No. 18G3, datod Busline, the 31st July 1009.
From—Major P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political llcsidont in tho Persian Gulf,
To—Tho Secretary to tho Government of India in the Foreign Department.
In reply to Foreign Department letter No. 1350-G., dated 15th June 1909,
I have the honour to submit a copy with translation of the letter furnished to
the Political Agent, Bahrein, by Sheikh Esa, asking Government to relieve him
of responsibility of exercising jurisdiction over foreigners.
2. The loxt of tho letter down to the words “foreigners only arc con­
cerned,” is practically what was recommended to him by tho Political Agent.
The reservation contained in the remaining words is an addition of the Sheikh's
own.
But as its effect is simply that such eases will be disposed of by the Joint
Court, and gives foreigners the same treatment that British subjects now
receive, there seems no need for exception to be taken to it, and I trust tho
letter as now received will be considered to suflicc.
If at any time the procedure in regard to British subjects is modified, by
the same analogy foreigners would be covered by such modification.
3. The Sheikh’s indirect allusion to the Joint Court, howevor, makes it
advisable for us to consider carefully in bringing out the Order in Council, tho
effect which the grant to the Political Agent of regular civil Powers will havo
upon tho working of tho machinery at present employed for the disposal of
civil claims in Bahrein ; and the extent to which those powers if granted need
bo published for the present.
It would, however, bo more convenient to go into this question with others
when considering in detail tho terms of tho Order in Council, when its issue is
finally decided upon.
Translation of a letter dated tho lGtli July 1909 (28th Jemadi II 1327), from Shkikii Esa din
Ali Al Kualipa to Captain C. F. Mackenzie, Political Agont, Bahrein.
(Received with Politico! Agent'* letter No. C.-2, doted 17th July 1009.)
After compliments.—It is not hidden from you that I have had consider­ J
able trouble in many eases (that arose) in my territory in which foreigners
were involved. For this reason I wish that I may not bo held responsible in
these eases and I would be grateful to the British Government if they remove
this trouble and responsibility from mo. I mean that it (the British Govern­
ment) should exercise authority in all eases in which tho foreigners only are
concerned, but not in other eases; and in eases that occur between foreigners
and my subjects, it is necessary that you and I should sottlo thorn jointly.