Page 360 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

i /(> Records of Bahrain
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CONFIDENTIAL. r A
:
729
i £.
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No. 250-S., dated Bushins, tho 31sfc May (rccoivcd tho 9th Juno) 1923. 1.
From—Tho Hon'dlr Lif.utenant-Coi.onel S. G. Knox, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political
Kosident in tho Porsiau Gulf.
Bahrain Reforms.
I have the honour to forward herewith a roport in narrative form of ray recent
proceedings at Bahrain with a view to the initiation of the reforms prescribed in
telegraphic correspondence ending with telegram No. 1029 from tho Secretary of
Stato for India contained in your telegram No. 584-S., dated 6th May 1923.'

REPORT ON BAHRAIN REFORMS.
A perusal of Confidential Report No. -C., dated 13th May 1923, from tho
Political Agent, Bahrain, to the Political Resident, Bushirc, which forms Appendix
I to this Report, will probably be the best introduction to this narrative. I would
take the opportunity of inviting the attention of Government to the valuable
assistance rendered to the Political Agent, Bahrain, by Mr. J. B. Mackic of tho
Anglo-Pcrsian Oil Company whose statement forms the first enclosure to the
Political Agent’s Report. I have already expressed to him personally my warm
appreciation of the services rendered but I should be happy if I might be privileged
to be the channel of communication of an appreciation by the Government of
India of Mr. Mackic’s assistance.
Although these disturbances between Ncjdis and Persians broke out fresh on
the morning of the 10th May, there was unfortunately some unavoidable delay in
getting warships to the scene of action where.IT. M’s. Ships " Triad ” and “ Crocus ”
did not arrive before the afternoon of the 13th May. The telegrams from Bahrain
had been alarming and there was no knowing how far the disturbance might spread,
especially when in his telegram No. G2-C., dated 12th May, repeated in due course
to the Foreign Department, the Political Agent, Bahrain, reported that distur­
bances had broken out beyond the limits of the Manamch Municipality and that
the Bahrain Sunnis were attacking the Baharinah. It seemed quite likely that
there would be Sunni-Shiah fighting all over the Islands. As a matter of fact, how­
ever, this particular incident resolved itself into a rather mild affair of Sunni land­
lords chastising their Baharinah tenants and on tho whole those Sunnis no doubt
thought that they behaved witli studied moderation. Idonotscck to palliate
their conduct but merely to reflect the Sunni point of view. It must be remembered
that when the Political Agent talks of houses burnt he really means rough huts of
date matting that can be constructed in one day. The casualties in all amounted to
five deaths, probably the result of the indiscriminate Arab firing into a crowded
locality.
3. 1 was anxious if possible to get If. M. S. M Triad ” to Bahrain as soon as
possible and so took the responsibility of diverting the mail steamer though at one
time, it looked as if rough weather would prevent mo and my party from embark­
ing on her. Fortunately, the weather abated and I was able to get myself, one
British Olliccr and one extra platoon* from the 15th Punjabi Regiment stationed
at Bushiro 011 board B. I. S. S. “ Varela ” in the early morning of the 14th May.
Again unfortunately an accident to the Varela’s engines made progress slow and
we had to tranship, still in fairly rough weather, to II.M.S, “ Triad ” at Bahrain,
not far short of midnight. My best thanks arc due to the B. I. Company for this
timely assistance and to the Senior Naval officer for tho excellent arrangements
made for trar.ohippiug me and my men from the “ Varela ” to II.M.S. ** Triad ”,
thereby releasing the mail steamer with the least possible delay.
4. On the morning of the 15th, Major Daly, accompanied by Shaikh Hamad
came off to sec me and we discussed the situation. Both were able to assure 1110
that the disturbances had ceased with the arrival of the mon-of-war, if not indeed
before, and that the situation was well in hand. It seemed to me inadvisable with
only two days-lcft to the termination of tho long Ramazan fast and with the two
days of Id festivities immediately following, to attempt to commcnco ratlior difficult
and delicate negotiations. My immediate prescnco for tho quelling of disturbances
was evidently not required and any drastic steps on tho part of II. M.’s ships would
• Tho pie-ionco of thoso troops at llabraiu is no longor roquirod and thoy roturnVfc to Bushiro hi tho
conreo cf this week, V\