Page 549 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

7
RESIDENCY AND II AS RAT I0LIT1CAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1D0M906.
Though rumours regarding the movements of the notorious pirate Ahmed
bin fiolman were constantly being heard, no piracies actually occurred in
Bahrein wators.
The slackness of Sheikh Esa’s rule and the consequent absence of law and
order in Manama, were a cause of a good deal of anxiety to the Residency during
the latter part of the year under report. This state of things was found to be
mainly due to the unruly demeanour and lawless acts of the Chief's nephew and
j-on-in-law, Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed, and Ids numerous negro retainers. The first
incident of importance occurred in Sepiember, under the following circumstances:
Some retainers of Sheikh Ali acting under his orders endeavoured to exaot
“Sukhra” or forced labour from some coolies actually working for Herr
Bahnsoo, the local representative of the German merchant Herr Wonckhaus
trading at Bahrein and elsewere* Herr Bahnson hearing a disturbance going
on in his compound went down to see what it was about, and in trying to 6aye
his employes from being beaten was severely assaulied by some of Sheikh Ali’s
servants and even roughly handled by Sheikh Ali himself, who lived close by
and had now joined his men. Owing to his fear of his nephew, Sheikh Esa
could not he persuaded to take any substantial notice of the incident as recom­
mended first by Mr. Gaskin and later by Captain Prideaux, but as the
Besident was soon expected at Bahrein, he asked that it might be left for the
latter’s decision and undertook to abide by it. Owing to absence on tour in
Arabistan, the Resident’s arrival at Bahrein was delayed until 30th November,
and in the meanwhile Sheikh Ali’s servants had committed themselves again,
on 14th November, by taking a prominent part in, if not actually organising,
a wanton and savage attack on the small community of Persian (Shial^) shop­
keepers dealing in groceries and dry goods in the Manama Bazar. Seven or
eight of these Persians were badly hurt; fingers and wrists were
broken, and one old greybeard of 80 had his skull fractured. Here again in
spite of the Political Agent’s efforts the Sheikh had takeu no steps whatever
to punish the offenders.
As the result of considerable pressure from the Resident, Sheikh Esa
accepted his advice in the ease of the assault against the German subject,
exacting substantial pecuniary compensation for Bern Bahuson, floggingfour of
the ringleadeis who took part in the assault uj>on him, obliging bis nephew
Sheikh Ali to leave Bahrein for a stated period until the orders of Government
should be received as to his future, and finally undertaking to notify a prohibi­
tion against the exercise by petty Sheikhs ot the right of commandeering
labour from the employes of merchants other thin his own subjects.
In the second case, the attack upon the Persians, Sheikh Esa showed the
utmost obstinacy and could not be persuaded to comply with the Resident’s
demand* O" to take any alternative action of a substantial nature. A reference
had, therefore, to be made to the Government of India with a view to the employ­
ment of force*, and on 19th February the Resident was instructed to proceed to
Bahrein and with the support of His Majesty's ships Fox, Sphinx, and
Hcdbreaxt to take the necessary steps to enforce compliance with the demands
of Government, which were:—
(1) The expulsion or imprisonment of six of the ringleaders in the attack
on the Persians.
(2) The payment to the sufferers of compensation to the extent of
rupees 2,000.
(8) The formation of a special guard for the maintenance of order in
Manama.
(4) The banishment of Sheikh Ali for a period of five years.
(5) The abolition of “Sukhra " or forced labour as far as the employes
of foreigners are concerned.
These terms were presented to the Sheikh in the form of an Ultimatum,
?? Riven 24 hours within which to comply. During these 24 hours
Sheikh Ah and his unruly followers, probably with the connivance of the
it"managed to effect their escape during the night to the mainland of El
natr. The remaining demands were complied with by 8heikh Esa in such
a way as to make any resort to force unnecessary, and a notification was