Page 213 - Records of Bahrain (5) (i)_Neat

Demands for reform, 1935, 1938-1939 201
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(i) "The words 'Executive' or 'Advisory1 mean nothing
to the people of Bahrain. Tho institution of a Council by
ordors of the British Government would be universally regarded

as tho forcible removal of power and authority from the hands
of the Shaikh and his successors. The Shaikh and the Ruling
Family would regard the imposition of a Council by orders
of tho British Government as a betrayal of the trust which
they placed in the British Government and of their long
friendship with England. Shaikh Hamad and his Family are

genuinely loyal to Great Britain. In theoe days of increasing
anti-British feeling in this part of the Near East is it not
impolitic to reduce the authority of one of the few really
well-disposed rulers and to antagonise the Ruling Family
and the Arabs of Bahrain ? The real Arabs of Bahrain are
^ solid in their support of the present regime. A petition
has now been made by all the Arab leaders in the same words
x as the one from the Arabs of Hedd. Although Shaikh Hamad

\ • IT in his present condition
See enclosure to my demi-official 0
letter No. C/720 dated the 26th $ might be persuaded, against
November 1938. 0
________________________________£ his will, to agree to having
a Council, if ordered to do so, nobody would bolieve that he
s'0
^ agreed except under pressure.
(ii) " The idoa of a Council has been discussed by the
Shaikhs since the recent political unrest. They one and all

regard any suggestion of a Council as being the swan-song of
tho Khalifah as Rulers of Bahrain. The Shaikhs believe that
tho British Government would not wish to undermine their
position as tho Rulers of Bahrain. They are certain that
with a Council in Bahrain (however it might be stylod or
formed) the Khalifah would not remain the Ruling Family.
(iii) " Tho Shia Bahama do not want a Council and have
never asked for one. I believe that thoy are satisfied with
thoir/-