Page 258 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

674 Records of Bahrain

I am constantly approached, by ieadora of ovory community and
am roqueoted to appeal to Government for some alleviation of tho
situation. I havo hithorto disoourged any ouch movoraonts to tho
boatef my ability, uud mado ovory effort to koop mattors quiot, in
tho hopo that Abdulla might bo influenced to change hio policy.
This ho oooras quito dotorrainod not to uo unu tno difficulty of
counteracting the purdah intriguos oi his mothor, is, of courso,
insurmountable.
It is said to mo that, if wo oxtonu out protection to the
Bahrain Government, so that it is immune from outsido danger, wo
should use our influence effectually, in oraor that tho inhabitants
be not unduly oppressed, and that thoy should havo a reasonably
efficient Government in comparison with other Arab states. Hlailing
lirattxKgai "Failing this", 1 am asked, "Yihy do you not romovo
the British prote-'Mon, then wo would at least have tho redross
usually rosortod to by Arabs. Y.o should appoal to another Arab
ruler to take over our country anu treat us hotter."
I respectfully submit that these representations mauo on most
adequate grounds, as wo nave umpio proof, are worthy ci' considera­
tion. If possible it would seem desirable that some precautions
should be taken to avoid a struggio for supremacy, which is certain
to occur acutely on the doath of the present liuler, ana will
continue to cuuso unrost in the meantime, ohoikn Jiasa, tnough now
montally woak, is in good oodily hoalAh; he takes extromo care
of himself and may thereiore live for many years.
A further disturbing element is tne rapid increase 01 the
family of ii± iuiG.A4.foii. There is no outlet ior tho many younger
members, ana no attempt is mude to educate thorn for any occupation.
Tho entiro revonuo, none of which is uovotoa to public woai, is
already absorbod in providing for them, oven so, mapy aro in roducou
oircumstanoos ana resort to various forms of oxtortion to supple­
ment thoir incoraos. Although tho population i3 settlou, ana
through oloso touch with tho very largo foreign dement is rapidly
becoming more enlightened, the oppression of tho ruling family is

greater thun would bo tolerated among tribal urabs. who >irn . in o
position