Page 362 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

778 Records of Bahrain

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in writing from my predecessor tlmt ho did not suppose that anything in the nature
of Bahrain reforms could bo seriously attempted beforo tho closo of the pearling
season and that it would probably dovolvo on him to take such stops as might be
necessary, I oven ventured to hint that possibly even the Government of India
had hardly been proparod for tho drastic orders that had como from tho very highest
quarters and that Shaikh Ten must endeavour to realize that ho was really commit­
ted to a sorious course of reform. I told him that the jurisdiction lct-tor was a matter
of no importance, that the powers would probably be granted whothcr ho wished it
or no, and that I had been instructed by the Government of India to apply officially
for the grant of such powers—a measure in which I should have their full support
with tho Homo Government,—and that I had not boon instructed to consult Shaikh
’Isa on the subject. 'I read over to him suitable extracts from Viceroy’s telegram
47G-S., dated 17th April 1923, especially the passago “ We shall back him up in
carrying out reforms ” concluding with u Wo must bo prepared to enforce reforms
ourselves.” I warned Shaikh ’Isa that this meant a perpetual strugglo with tho
tribes, with the members of his own family, notably his own wife, and unceasing
vigilance to prevent relapso. I told him frankly that his conduct with regard to
the Deportation /Tetter, his treatment of tho Manameh Electric Scheme, his silly
mistrust of the employment of old iron rails by the Political Agent to strengthen
local bridges, his allowing his wife to bank or bury a sum of 11s. 500 daily from the /
Bahrain Customs revenue, indicated to me clearly that he was not the man, at
seventy five years of age—if indeed be ever was—to enter upon the arduous task
of reform and urged him to stand aside and give his heir-apparent an entirely free
hand. ~ I drew a parallel between such a state of affairs and tho enviable position
of Abdur Rahman bin Faisul of Riyadh, who occupied himself with his agricultural
properties and preparing for bis latter end, while his son, Abdul Aziz, boro all the
heat and burden of the day. I said that I had never heard that Abdul Rahman
had ever suffered in reputation or dignity. Shaikh ’Isa here interposed with the
remark that Abdul Aziz had won his empire with his own right hand and that the
circumstances were nol parallel. I was quick to retort “And who, pray, conquered
Bahrain for you and called you, an orphan and a fugitive, to take your scat ns
Shaikh of Bahrain ? And who, all these fifty-five years, has kept and maintained
you here against Turkish force and Persian fraud, internal and external enemies ?
Was it your greedy, disloyal tribesmen or the British Government ? And if now
looking to the good of all, in its wisdom the British Government asks you to make
way for a younger and stronger man a year or two before God calls you to himself,
is there any gross oppression or cruelty in such conduct ? Docs it not rather show
a kindly solicitude for your welfare as well as that of your subjects in setting you
free from the anxieties of this difficult and thankless task ? There is no reason why
you should not continue to enjoy the name and dignity of Shaikh of Bahrain—
indeed it is not oui intention that Shaikh Hamad should be other than your fully
empowered vakil who is under no necessity of consulting his principal any more than
he consults any otherwise old greybeard in Bahrain.” Shaikh ’Isa however replied
in his customary style that though he was absolutely at the orders of Government,
that though they might cut'his throat or throw him into tho sea, ho would not
willingly abdicate. 1 said that in that case nothing remained for me to do except
to consult my Government, report the facts and ask them whether they empowered
me to set Shaikh ’Isa aside forcibly, that from the tenovir of the telegrams in my
hands, I had little doubt that they would instruct me to do so, but that, ex abun-
danlc caulcla, I would consult them once again which would probably give him
three (lavs in which to reflect on the situation and deeide whether it was wiser to
go out of his own free will or be. removed, in which latter ease it would unfortunately
be necessary for me to justify my conduct by some reflections on Shaikh ’Isa’s
obstructive methods which could hardly be palatable to him, however I might
endeavour, as I certainly should, to soften them down. It was as he was taking
leave that the Shaikh begged me to keep the matter secret and gave the assurance
I have already cited in one of telegrams, that, for him personally, the Sheikdom
of Bahrain was not worth the smoke of a cigarette.
7. During the three days that followed, the Political Agent and I had frequent
interviews with Shaikhs Hamad and Abdullah. I affected to concern myself little,
with what might be tho outcome of my reference to Government and to be more
occupied with the proceedings at tho Majlis which I. announced my intention of call­
ing at a decent interval after the orders of Government reached mo, whether Shaikh