Page 320 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

736 Records oj Bahrain

6 . If such is hie attitude .to schemes of purely material^
progress urged on him hy his own family and subjects; it can
he supposed that there is no hope whatsoever that the Sheikh
will ever agree, save under strong compulsion, to the
introduction of administrative changes which he would regard
not as reform hut as reaction, and which are desired only hy
the Shiahs, and hy the British Government. Indeed such is
hl6 intractability that it is extremely doubtful whether
even 6trong moral compulsion would induce him to agree, A
•.year ago, a hint of Government's severe displeasure would
probably have moved him. I do not think it is likely to do
|so now. And if that failed, it would have to be followed up
by a show of material force, or by a tightening of moral

pressure - ending ultimately (for I can see no alternative)
in the threat of deposition if he were to continue in an
attitude of passive resistance. In all human probability
6uch a threat would bring the Sheikh, and his wife, to their
senses; but, if it did not, Government would have no choice
but to carry out it6 threat, and that fS could only be done
by a resort to force, however embarassing the circumstances.
In fact, once it i6 decided to bring pressure to bear, it
becomes impossible to guarantee that Government will be able
to 6top 6hort at any particular point of moral or physical
compulsion.
7. It follows that if Government are determined to put a
stop to the abuses in Bahrain, they must be prepared to
impose the Reforms upon the Sheikh; to support their intro­
duction if necessary with material force (whether it be

bombardment by H.M.Ships, or the actual deposition of the
ruler); and finally to meet the criticism which is bound to
be levelled against us by our ill-wishers for taking a
strong line. For it is certain that any action which Govern­
ment may decide to take in Bahrain will be closely watched
both by Persians and by Arabs and Sunnis generally; and
Ay
especially bln Bin Baud, whose hint at his recent interview
with Sir Percy / Cox as to the unpleasant situation of the
Sheikh of Bahrain vis-a-vis an aggressive Political Agent,
plainly