Page 20 - Records of Bahrain (6)_Neat

8 Records oj Bahrain

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father's Cabinet, and has latterly been President of the Court
of Warda and Chairman of the Muharraq Municipality, ho haa
remained somewhat in the background* He ha^y however slipped
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very easily into the position of Ruler, seems thoroughly to
enjoy his new dignities and I consider it probable that he will

take a much more aotive part in the direction of his State's
affaire than his father* He is eaid to bo an admirer of Resa
Shah and to have expressed an opinion that it is necessary
at times to take strong measures to otimulate the progress of
a baokward country* It is I think probable that in due oourse
he will be anxious to oarry out reforms in Bahrain, though
it is to be hoped that ho will not endeavour to imitate Rexa
Shah too olosely. At present he ia respeoted by all classes
because of his impartiality and refusal to interfere in people's

private affairs. It is dangerous to prophesy but on the whole
I am inclined to think that Shaikh Salman should prove a better
Ruler than his father though he will never inspire the same
universal affection. It is possible that his anxiety to assert
his authority may give rise to some difficulties to begin
with.
4. I would oall partial lar attention to the concluding

paragraph of Mr.Wakefield's report. I agree that it was most
useful to have on record all the discussions which took place
on the subjeot of the Buocesoion, but in the event the secret
testament of Shaikh Hamad had no influence on the oourse of
events, and as Mr.Wakefield points out it might have proved a
most serious embarrassment. I am inclined to thjb k that any
seoret declaration of this sort should be avoided in future.
If a Ruler is strong enough to appoint a successor in hiB life
time and to obtain hio family's consent to the appointment, well
and good - otherwise it ia better, though no doubt less conven­
ient for us, to leave the question of succession to be settled

by a family oonclave after the Ruler's death, in aooordanoe
/ with