Page 105 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British interests and influence, 1898-1904 95
29

and tlio Arab Const. I can romombor n few names of mon who thus got
guns. Thoro was Khalifa-bin-Jasim-bin-Tbaue of Katr, Abdulln-bin-Zam,
Shcrugi, and many othors. Khursbedji sold thorn, not my uuolo. Mr. Tracis
onco wroto and told my uncle that he did not think tho Sheikh would really
object if ho oponed a 6liop in Bahrein itself for tho sale of guns and ammuni­
tion to pcoplo in tho place. This lottcr 1 can produce. I think that in thus
selling arms in places forbiddon by tho Shoikh, Tracis Times woro violating
tho conditions of the concession. I should hero mention that one Husaiu-bin- i
Abdulla, a resident of Bahrein, bought many arms, and took thorn to El-Kntr
for sale there. I was not at Bahrein when tho Sheikh attached tho arms.
I was thon at Busbire. My undo wroto and told mo that tho Sheikh had.
done so, and told mo to toll Mr. Tracis, which I did, and wo both thon went
togothor to Bahrein. I also informed Mr. Gaskin. I have not got my uuclo’s
letter ; it is at Bahrein, and I can produce it if requivod. My uncle merely
said that I should tell Mr. Tracis that at last the Shoikh had actually attached
tho arms. Ho referred to tho provious loiters in which ho had warned Tracis
that tho Sheikh intended doing 60. As I was not at Bahreiu, I don’t know
undor what circumstances tho Sheikh actually attached tho arms. 1 did not
hear that Agha Mohamod Itahim, my uncle, asked tho Sheikh to do it, or that
it was dono to please him. On tho othor hand I know that tho Sheikh had for
a long time back been wishing to stop the great importation of arms, as they i : !
wore being sold in Bahrein and to his enemies. I may mention, as an instance
of his dislike to bringing more guns into tho placo, that ouco Mr. Malcolm
brought 2,000 rifles to Bahrein, and the Shoikh ordorud them to bo taken I
away without delay, though Mr. Malcolm said ho would bo ready to pay tho
25 por cent, duty, which the Shoikh said in his prohibition should be levied on
all who brought arms into tho Island. They woro brought from Muscat, and
had to bo taken back thoro at onco. I bcliovo that tho Sheikh was really!
afraid that too many arms would go into the hands of his oncmics, and ho
must havo put the conditions in tho concession to enable him to withdraw it
if ho thought fit. Khursbedji represented tho interests of Tracis Times at
Bahrein, and watched all salos mado by my undo. Ho also sold sometimes
himself. Khursbedji know the narnos of all tho buyers, and sent lists of them
to Tracis. I cannot say that ho know the places of rcsidonoo of all tho buyers.
The guns woro sold to evory ono who asked for them without any enquiry
being made. Brokers in Bahrein itself would buy 60 or 60, and ro-sell as they
pleased. About 4,000 * rifles sold diroot
• With 200 round* por gun.
and not less than 2,000 by delivery orders
from Busbire were handed over to purchasers at Bahroin during tho two and
a half years of our Agency.
The abovo statement is correct, so help mo God,
MAHOMED KHALEEL.
Before ra e.
M. J. MEADE,
Political Resident, Persian Qulf.
Busuire ;
The 15th November 1898. }

^ 80Jlme v? u° o£ oacl1 nflo and thQ 200 rounds was on an
nverago lUOfik 8omo sold for Ks. 200 and somo for Rs. 150. The common
• Martmi-Honris woro sold at Us. 80, henco tho avorago was about Its 100 T
don’t know whut profit waB mado by Mr. Traois. Ho never told us what ho nahl
for the weapons, or what they cost to bring out, etc. I will bo able to sav if
wWoghin wUiraonda?o you.1' D°‘gian manufaotu™ aft“ -7 catalogu^,

MAHOMED KHADEEL.
Bo-called and takon.
Before mo.
M. J. MEADE,
Political Resident, Persian Qulf•
Bdsuiue ; )
The 16th November 1698.)
864F.D.