Page 312 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

728 Records of Bahrain

British protoot ion, boing foreign Art* bo or Persians. The
Sunni tribon rooont all reforms, loot a omll bo ginning
ahould load to reformo also in tho diving.
I would point out that whoroao roforna introduced by
tho iiheiko, might bo a good thing ovon if imperfectly

doviood and inoffioiontly oarriod out, it will Ixj diffctTfeeio
mattor if thoy aro introduced undjr proanuro from H.M.Govtr.
In that ovont ovory pooaiblo flaw will bo diocoverod and
exploit 3d. Uofore omburking on ouc.h a policy I would
thoroforo respectfully ouggoat that I my bo given
sufficient tluio to make a noro caroful study of the
prooont otato of taxation and tho nature and effect of

improvomontn which could be offectod particularly t^ose
originally suggested by tho Shoiko. It would place us
In a moat invidious poo it ion to insist on reformo if
in practice thoy did not adequat 3ly remove cauno for

grievance.
Apart from tho question of taxation in tho more
crying need for aono nyatoin which will onouro justice
au between Sunni a and ShJjfSjho, for thic in the grievance
which in most likely to react on opinion in neighbouring
3h\jJl)h countries.
Wo are not in the pearling ooaoon and any enquiries now

made, however cirounopoct will arouao tho greatest
ouspicion among the Sunni poarlero. I believe that after
tho clcae of the aoaaon u full study of theoo matters could
mo made without causing a atir. Also, as already
reported I ain Juut finishing negotiations which it in

hoped will rooult in a reconciliation botwoen SheiVto
Abdulla and Hamud. It would bo advioablo bo teat
Abdulla'a attitude for oome little time. If he proves
1
that hollo gonuinoly proparod to asoiot Hamad the intro­
duction of reformo would bo to Bone extent oiraplified.
Otherwise, regrottablo thoicgh it will be, we shall bo