Page 114 - Records of Bahrain (6)_Neat

102 Records of Bahrain

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appointment is being opposed by Shaikh Abdullah Salim, vide
paragraph above, and in view of what happened in 1938 and
1939 when agitation fostered by this man was almost . a
suocossful in unseating Shaikh Ahmad the latter naturally
wishes to make sure that he can cithor reconcile Shaikh
Abdullah or eliminate his influence before ho asks .jjs to
find him an adviser. 4 ‘
5. I think Shaikh Ahmad docs genuinely see the
necessity of appointing British advisers and that he is not
merely trying to evade the issue by asking for time to
prepare.the ground. His request for three advisors after it
had been suggested to him that he might appoint one was
entirely spontaneous and the fact that he has taken stops to
engage an American doctor to preside over his medical services
shows that he is anxious to obtain the assistance of western
advisers to improve his administration. Ills rule is of an
entirely personal nature, lie keeps in close touch with public
opinion and he wants to mnko quite sure that the appointment
of British advisers will not give rise to agitation before
he takes the plunge. Ten or even five years ago the matter
might have presented little difficulty but in present
circumstances his caution is not to be wondered at in view
of the lowering of British prestige as a result of our
withdrawal from India and elsewhere, the general agitation
for the liberation of the Arab world from western influence,
and in particular the recent events in the neighbouring
country of Iraq. In fact I cun surprised that Shaikh AJunad
has gone as far as he has and I think it would be a mistake
to press him unduly or to issue anything in the nature of an
ultimatum. My own viev/ is that we should continue to remind
him of the proposal every two or throe months or ns occasion
arises. I have recently token the opportunity of tho appoint­
ment' of special British and American police officers by the
Kuwait Oil Company to ask the Political Agent to suggect to
him that he shpuld appoint a British police officer himself
to maintain liaison with them. Tho Political Agent has
approached the Shaikh accordingly and reports that he
appeared to accept the suggestion and promised to address an
official communication to the Agency on the subject.
6. With regard to the functions of a financial
adviser if appointed I agree that he should not confine him­
self to pure finance but that he should also advise on
economic and social development. He should however be an
advisory and not an executive officer, and not attempt to
make himself the virtual ruler of the State as has happened
in Bahrain. What is required is an adviser who will exercise
a preponderating'influence in the administration of the State
whilo keeping his own personality in the background. It may
be almost an advantoge If ho docs not know Arabic as this
will make it difficult for him to come betv/een tho Shaikh
and his people. In fact if we sot out to find an advisor
who knows Arabic we may find ourselves unable to recommend
a candidate to the Shaikh when he asks for one as has
happened at Muscat.
7. The appointment of a financial adviser should bo
our primary objective at Kuwait. The Shaikh has himself " ..
suggested British advisers in addition for Customs and Polloe...
If we can obtain the appointment of theso three advisers
we shall have done well and should rest contont for the- timo
being. It is possible that if these advisors are successful y
they will bo able to persuade the Shaikh to appoint others.
8.