Page 68 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

54 Records of Bahrain

towards making a constructive reply to the petition,
save only on the questions of an Advisory Council
and of elected councils for public health and
education In discussion with Mr. Wall on July 5
the Ruler accepted our advice to this effect and

agreed that the Government should prosecute the
essential reforms which have boon long under
discussion in the hope that this would give a
breathing space in which they might strengthen the
Public Security Department and at the same time
satisfy the more intelligent section of the people
now disoontentod. The reforms were not, however,
to be announced until tho situation had returned

to normal. It was also agreed that as a temporary
measure designed to seoure a return to work by the
Shias the Ruler should inform the tiwo senior and
respectable Shia leaders that if the strike ended tho
Goyorrnnntwould announco substantial reforms.
11. Tho.next day, at the Ruler's pressing

request, the Politioal Agent was present at the
meeting with the two Shia leaders. Despite oaroful
ooaching, however, tho Ruler gave them a vory
unsatisfactory answer, and it was only by strenuous
efforts .on the part of Mr. Wall and Sir Charles

Bolgrave that the situation was retrieved and a
Government ordinanoe published to the effeot that
reforms would bo announced if the strikers returned
to work..
12. Meanwhile difficulty had arisen over the
/composition