Page 64 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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reasons for the falling off in the number of Indian Ilajjis, but both were probably
looking out for money and were grateful for the tip which Shaikh ITamad gave
them.
A disreputable Austrian named Mraz and his wife also paid Bahrain a visit
with the intention of proceeding on the ITai overland. They were some four months
late or eight months early for this, and their pretensions to being converts to Islam
were not taken seriously as the man seemed to know little of his new religion,
and replied to queries that “ lie did not hold with any particular sect, but Islam
generally.” As they lived by begging, the Residency were asked to prevent such
persons being given visas in future, and orders were issued to prevent a recurrence
of such visits. A number of destitute Indian Ilajjis also arrived and were repatri­
ated at considerable expense.
On an average three requests for repatriation or monetary assistance, were
received by the Political Agent daily, and it was impossible to help any save a
fraction of the most distressing eases.
Nejd.—Under the iron hand of Bin Saud, Ila-sa and Nejd produced little in the
wav of interest during the past year. Bin Jiluwi, the heavy handed governor
of Ilasa, appeared to have regained his former ability and overcame the effects of
the stroke he suffered after hearing the news of his son Fahad’s death in battle the
year before. He is a patriarchal governor of the old school and is held in whole­
some awe by the bedouin, and the Ojair-IIasa road was consequently safe through­
out the year.
The excessive taxation coupled with the bad pearling season and poor date
market ruined the Qatif oasis, and what little trade there was mostly went to
Jubail, a port in which the Qusaibis are largely interested. This is of new creation
and owes its rise to the Kuwait blockade but consists of little more than two rows
of houses and a Customs house and small pier.
Muhammad bin Suwaillim, the Amir of Qatif, who had shown himself to be
thorou ighly friendly to the Agency, was dismissed towards the close of the year,
being finally succeeded by Abdul Rahman bin Khairullah. There was no recru­
descence of the Bahama trouble at Qatif and no persecution of genuine Bahrainis.
The nationality problem is one that is much better left to solve itself locally and
a modus mvendi has been found.
There seems to be an extension of effendi-ism and bureaucratic control in
Bin Saud’s eastern provinces, and Muhammad-al-Tawil, the omnipotent Customs
Director of Hasa, has usurped much power formerly vested in the Amirs. A
Diving Court has now been set up in Qatif modelled on the one at Bahrain, and if it
is properly run it will be another benefit that Bahrain has enforced on its neigh­
bours, for the Qatar divers have demanded diving books and proper accounts on
the lines of those their Bahrain brethren enjoy.
Since almost everyone within two hundred miles must now come to Bahrain
if he is to obtain a loan or finance himself, it will be seen that Bahrain is playing
an increasing part in the economic life of the Persian Gulf, and such business is
done on the terms of the Bahrain merchants.
The question of waiving re-export dues for goods destined for Bin Saud was not
raised again, but it is not believed that the Nejd Government will rest content with
the present situation, and they have already enquired the price of buoys, with
a view to making Ras Tanura a port. They have failed so far to find water there,
but there is nothing to prevent its being piped from 10 miles away.
With the exception of the Amir of Qatif and a grudging recognition by Bin
Jiluwi, the policy of the Nejd officials seems to be to ignore the Agency, and none
ever visit it though they frequently come to Bahrain on business. Though fana­
ticism has diminished, the Christian is not persona </rata in the Hasa, and a Nejdi
fresh fnm his native wilds will avoid shaking the polluted hand of the Political
Agent even in Shaikh Hamad’s majlis, or will extend two fingers like a duchess
at a grad-.'M party.
By the close of the year almost every town of importance in Nejd and Ilasa
had been fitted with wireless. The plants are supplied by the British Marconi
Company.