Page 165 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British interests and influence, 1898-1904 155

Enclosure No. 3.
No. 010-E. Ay datod,Simla, the 2UU Apiil 1809.
From—Captain II. Daly, C.I.Ey Deputy Socrolary to tho Govcrunicnt, of Iudia,
Foreign'Department,.
,A\> To—Tho Political Iteaidont in tho Pcraian.Gulf.
•• I am direpted to acknowledge tho receipt of yOur letter No. 27/ dated tho
12th March 1809,' regarding Bahroin affairs.
2. Your suggestion that tho Government of, India should mako tho
Shoikha loan, with a'view to soouring a satisfactory arrangement in respect
to tho Customs, cannot he proceeded with unloss it is presented in a more de­
finite form.. .Improved administration of tho Customs is, liowcvor, no doubt
desirable on various grounds, and, if you roport tho approximate sura which
it might bo nocossary to lend the Sheikh and tho terms which might be settled
for repayment,, tho matter.will receive consideration. - Tho Sheikh appoars to
bavo been within his rights in raising tho import and oxport duties from 4 to
5 por cent., and the Government of India do not considor that they can claim
to be previously consulted in such a rnattor.
3. The prosent case, and othor reports which you havo rccqutly furnished
on mattors relating to Bahrein, point to tho desirability of oarly measures being
taken to 80cure better representation and raoro continuous infiucnco there than
can bo lookod for from occasional visits by tlio Political Resident. I am to
request you to oxpodite your proposals on. this subjoct. In tho meantime you
may exercise your discretion as to making known or withholding'the'orders
of tho Government of India in respect to tho recognition of tho Sheikh's eldest
son as successor designate to tho Chicfsliip.

Enclosure No. 4.
No. 81, dated Bushiro, tho'5th June 1809.
From—Lieutenant-Colonel M. J. Meade, Political Itcsidoat.in the Persian Gulf,
To—Tho Soorotory to tlio Governtnonfc of Iudia, Foreign Department.
With roferonce to your letters noted in tlio margin, about tho position of
affairs at Bahrein, 1 have the honour to
No. 205-E. A., dated 7th Fobruarv 1820. roport, for the information of tho Gov­
No. 880 E. A , doted 0th March 1800.
No. 010-E. A., dated 24th April 1830. ernment of India, that, as tho lettor of tho
6th March was recoived after my roturn
to Bushiro, I doterminod to send Mr. P. B. Prideaux, my Pirst Assistant, to
Bahrein, to mako further enquiries on various points which had not boon dis­
posed of during my own visit to tho place. •
2. Mr. Pridoaux was specially ■ directed to endeavour to ascertain from
Sheikh Esa if it would-, not be possible! to get bis- contract - for farming the
Customs with tbo syndicate of Banias canoellod,- and also to try and induco
tlio Sheikh to ask for tho sorvices of an official to manage them for him.
• 3.1 cncloso, for tho information of tho Qov.ornmont of India, a copy of
a roport.Mr. Prideaux has giveu me, , and I think it is clear that the Sheikh
is not disposed to got off his contract with the Banias,' or to apply for the
help of tho Government of India in managing'- them. He has,, however, pro­
mised not to ontcr into auy fresh ongagoment without informing us, and whoa
tho prosent contract oxpircs in April 1902, wo may bo able to. induco him to
ask for the soryiees of- an official.
4. I do not think, howovor,.that wo should wait till, then to improve our
present political arrangements at Bahrein, and the presonco of an able and
roliablo official on our part nt tho plaoo' will probably rosult in tho Sheikh
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