Page 131 - Records of Bahrain (4) (i)_Neat

Reaction to the reforms, 1923 119
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tho CABO. Ho intends to remove him from the recognized leadership’of tire tribe1
mid to instal Easa A1 Dosari who is a far more suitable person.. Ho also proposes to
deal with tho ’Ali caso summarily. It would take an indefinite timo to examino
tho hundreds of witnesses who would bo produced on either side and would still
further unsottlo'tho tribes and Balmrinah. The Sliara court would drag the caso
on for months, ccjually without result, and the Baharinali would not accept a deci­
sion oMho Sunni Qadlil and vice versa. It is the Shaikh’s intention in addition to
the removal of Ahmad A1 Dosari from the leadership, to recover from tho Budaiyah
tho cash equivalent of all tho property looted from ’Ali, and payment, in accordance
with custom, of blood money for the killed and wounded, together with a sufficient
fino from tho Government of Bahrain for the disorder caused. He will hold the
elders of the Dowasir responsible for payment in a given time'. They aro well
capable of dividing it among themselves according to the share they took m the fray
and-doubtless Ahmad Al Dosari and Khamis and their followers, who instigated tho
whole affair, will have to pay the biggest share.
I do not anticipate that there will be trouble, neither docs Shaikh Hamad, as.
the Dowasir appear to bo fairly cowed, but the ease is the supreme test of Shaikh
Hamad’s new regime and any hesitation on his part, shoujd there be delay in pay­
ment, etc., would be fatal, and cause opposition among all other Sunni tribes, un­
important though they arc, compared to the Dowasir. It seems absolutely essen­
tial, thereforo, that should necessity arise, we should support Shaikh Hamad. A
gunboat is now here and likely to remain for somo timo. 1 would suggest that if
thcro is any show of dcfianco at the meeting to-day, 1 bo authorized to ask tho
Commander to move up and take up a position ofE Budaiyah. This would havo
a great moral effect. Should thcro be still furthor trouble, it migh.t bo necessary after
duo warning, to undertake a light bombardment of Budaiyah or at any rato firo
a few rounds over the town. 1 should be glad, if on receipt of this report, you
would kindly instruct me telegraphically, as to whether, in the event of necessity
arising, 1 may call on II. M. S. “Cyclamen” for the assistance necessary, lb
Would be given at Shaikh Hamad’s request, which if nccossary, 1 could obtain
from him in writing. In any ease, befo c taking any definite action, 1 will refer for
final instructions by elenj line message, should necessity arise.
Neither the Shaikh nor I uontompInto serious delay or opposition, particularly
if we can move the gunboat neni Budaiyah at the slightest sign of trouble, but ib
would bo well to bo prepared for any eventuality. Knowing all tho circumstances
1 concifr with the action taken and proposed to bo taken by Shaikh Hamad.' With­
out taking a strong lino now, he will be quite unable to maintain order in the future
ofto introduce tho taxation or other reforms contemplated.
,1 should like to add that Shaikhs Hamad and Abdulla arc co-operating to tho
best of their ability and appear genuinely desirous of putting their house in order.
They constantly ask my advice on all sorts of matters and accept it as a rule with
pleasure. • On the other hand they arc not devoid of ideas of running their own
affairs and 1 think, with a few years’ support and^advico from a Political Agent,
should make a strong combination, capable of ruling and of effecting much improve­
ment in Bahrain.
^ This report has been prepared in extreme hasto to catch the mail.which is now

Telegram P., No. G49, dated tho 23rd June 1923.
Prom—Resident, Bushiro,
To—Political, Bahraiu.
Your letter No. 80-C. of 10th Juno.
. Thoro must-bo no light bombardmont of Budiyah nor rounds firod ovor village
.without oxpress-permission from His Majesty’s Government which I cannot obtain
at short notice.
Such action might turn Sultan of Ncjd into open enemy whilo negotiations aro
proceeding and seriously .projudico courso of reforms to which His Majesty’s Gov­
ernment aro pledged.