Page 66 - Records of Bahrain (5) (i)_Neat

54 Records of Bahrain
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more Impatient and ill-tempered and yesterday sent Shaikhs

Abdullah and Salman as his "Ambassadors" to Belgrave to settle
the matter. .Both of them fully appreciate Belgrave1s points,
but in true Arab manner say that perhaps half the total sum of
Ks 4 lakhs might bo handed over to the Shaikh "to make his heart

glad". Belgrave managed to talk out the discussion yesterday
but it will no doubt be resumed. As a last resort, if pressure
Is maintained, he proposes to advise His Highness to discuss
the matter with me and to this I have agreed.
3. If His Highness does discuss the question with me I shall
of course repeat Belgrave*s arguments - perhaps in more forcible

language than Belgrave could afford to use. I intend to remind
him that although he is constantly pleading poverty he has in
fact enormous riches, suras far beyond his wildest dreams a
few years ago. I shall remind him that the whole honour and
glory of the gift of lb 4 lakhs to His Majesty*s Government
accrued to him personally and that his present demand in effect

means that that gift will be charged solely against funds
which are intended to be expended for the benefit of his peo­
ple. I will tell him that when His Majesty the King makes a
gift he pays for it from his own Privy Purse and does not ask
the Government to meet it. And finally I.will remind him that

though he claims to be hard up he has nevertheless managed to
loan ra 2 lakhs to the Qosaibis, servants of Ibn Saud, which
he will probably never see again, and is at the moment thinking
of a loan of Rs 1 lakh to Haji Yusuf Kanoo which will most cer­
tainly never be repaid.
4. It is more , than likely that he will still remain obdu­

rate as in money matters he is stupid, obstinate and selfish.
And I should be most grateful if you would let me know (by
telegram if possible) v/hether you think that in the final
resort he should be told, with as bad a grace as possible,
that /-

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