Page 371 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

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Reforms and unrest, 1923 787

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APPENDIX II. TO REPORT . ON^AIIRAIN REFORMS.
Copy of a letter from the Ilon'Hc the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to His
Highness the Sultan of Ncjd and Dependencies, dated Bahrain, the 18lh May
1923 (2 Shawwal).
Translation.
My friend 1 It cannot liavo been, concealed from Your Excellenoy that, in
tho Town of Mannmch, tliero have recently boon doplorablo outbreaks of roligi OUS
fanaticism which havo resulted an serious loss of life among both Nejdis i and
Persians. It has found necessary for mo to visit theso Islands, enquire into the
origin of theso disturbances and endeavour toariangc that such distressing fatali­
ties do not recur.
. I deeply regret to inform you that the reports I have received establish
beyond a doubt that the Ncjad wore the aggressors and that your Agent Abdulla
Al-Qosaibi, after absurd pretensions to arrogate to himself tho functions of a
Consul which have been for Borne time causing me anxi( ty not only instigated
theso disturbances but behaved, after they wore set afoot, in a manner both
unseemly and cowardly and thereby has brought discredit—as far as such an
insignificant person may do—on Your Highness’ good name.
I hold this man primarily responsible for the blood of theso unfortunate mis­
guided rioters and would have dealt with him severely but for the fact that ho,
however unworthy, has been honoured with your confidence. I have accordingly
set him free to carry this letter to you, so that Your Highness may d^al with him
as in your wisdom you think fit. Moreover in view of his post conduct and the
diflicultics it has given rise to, I must ask that Your Ilighncsss should not send
an Agent to Bahrain without consulting the British Government whether such
person be acceptable to them.
Iiis Excellency the High Commissioner in ’ Iraq, Sir Henry Dobbs, has in­
formed me that on the departure of our friend Sir Percy Cox, I have been selected
as tho intermediary between Your Highness’ Government and the Colonial Office
of Ilia Majesty’s Government.
It is a matter of the liviliest personal regret to me that just after I have been
honoured by this selection, my first official communication to Your Highness
should be on such an unpleasant subject. The urgency of the case and the deplor­
able consequences of the conduct of Abdulla A1 Qosaibi arc my only excuse and
justification.
This is what had to bo said. May Your Highness be long preserved in peace
and honour and Salaam.
[Note.—Orgiaal not reproduced.]

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