Page 125 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British interests and influence, 1898-1904 115
yz
No. 128, dated Bushiro, (.bn 21th September 181-9.
From—Ljkutbnant-Colonei. M. J. Mbade, (PoHlioal Residentin tlio Persian Gulf,
To—Tho Scorolary to tho Government of India, Foroign Dopartment.
I have tho honour to'submit the report on questions connected with Bah-
ricn co llod for in •your letter No.,991-'E.A., dated tho 4th July 1899.
2. I consider that tlic prcsenco of ah English officor'ip (losiruble at Bah­
rein iu.vioi? of the grbat increase in British interests which has- takon placo
tlicro of recent years. Tho wliolb tlrailo of tlio place is virtually .British’;
and tho increase during the past'20 years will bo scon from bur Trade roturns
during that period. Imports, which in 1878 amounted, to Its. 22,29,177, stood
at Its. 88,27,660 in 1898, while exports had risen from 11s. 21,81,995. iu 1878
toils. 79,i0,&80 in 1898. Tlioso figures, • L think, speak for thcmsolvos,. and
shew that Bahrein, being generally regarded as under British protection, is
becoming moro and 'more tho emporium £91* tho trade of the adjacent Arab
Coast.
3. In 1881, Colonel Boss, writing • to tho Government of India, observes
that “ a good deal of intorost, commercial,
• Lollor No. 203, dated tlio 14tli Octobor 18S1.
quasi-counqcroinl and political, is con-
tcring, or, is about to do. so, in tho.,countries adjacent to tho Gulf, fresh
steamship Companies,.English and I$oi;eign,, are.l>e,ing organized; tho attepr
Lion of Eoroign. Officers is.direcled to tho South-iWost... of Persia, &c.”.; These
remarks referred to .the. lVrsian Gulf generally : hut, 1 think, they, apply
with special force.as anticipating what, has occurred at Bahrein in particular,
nud thoro is no doubt that' tho prediction has boon fulfilled, Qur interests
in Bahrein arc far moro important than they woro and, as ,tho.. Government
of India nro aware, other nations oro gradually waking up to tlio importance
of tho placo.
.4*. At presont thoro seem to he specially strong grounds for strengthening
our position nt Bahroin. .Sheikh JEsa is an old. man, who, during his earlier
years, usod to act in conformity with tho advice ho .revived ..from tlio British
Residency.’ Of late) however, lie Vooms to' liavo become moro susceptible to
Iho i'tifluonce of persons .from other' nations, and- his chief advisors aro now
Turkish-or Prcnch’. This chango in his attitudo is probably duo, in. part',
to dislike to Agha Muhammad Rahim; who has, for some years, boon our rc-
prescritativc'in tho’place.
5. Prior to tho reduction of tho Rbsi'deriby Staff in 1879, tho Eivsfc Assist*
a lit Resident resided constantly, for .a portion of tiid year, .ii\ tho Islaiid ; but,
since' then,' tlio Chief and liis people only sob tho Resident or his Assistant
(ic'cflsibnallyj and- much riioroIs cbrise'quontly loft in tho hands of the. Native
Agent, who is unpopular with tho merchants; as his commercial dealings
clash with tlioiys, and with the Chief whoso actions ho has to bring to tho notice
of the Residency. . .................. , , t ,
6; The appointment of on English officer, who will bo confined to his
own official duties; will attract moro British Birins to Bahrein; .for, olieacly,
thoro aye two or .three who (aro commencing ,to. open up dealings with tho
placo, and the. number(wjll.certainly ho incrqnsod if wo arc porpeny represen­
ted on tho Island, Tho prosoucp of such an officer will inspiro tho Chiof witli
greater confidence., than hq has at prqsont, in tho motives and actions of the
representative of tho Government, of, India. ,An .iqcroased squso of. security
will, no doubt-, follpw,. nn^ tho Shoikl\ will bo..9bligcd to attend moro to tno
wishes .and advico of our government tl\au he has been doiug of Info. The
rights of our traders will lo less interfered, .with, and they .will, lsnqw where
apply for assistance aud redress.. Thoro will be fewer'fraudulent transac­
tions m which British subjects'a'vticoncerned.' -Claims, whether arising out
of bxfsinosa'transactions, or from’ thofts and robberies, will J10 settled moro
2nd there will be an end to the squeezing of British subjects by
tho SlieiUh and his officers, anil of tho intrigues which now go qh bptweon the
Bum’ahs and’tho Sheikh, oithor over Customs contracts, or iu business matters
botwobn themselves.
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