Page 173 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British interests and influence, 1898-1904 163

7 I heard at Bahrein that thoso Bunninhs considor that the Shoikh is in

and, if ho repudiates tho fresh ngreomont, Ido not think, as far ns I can sco
at present, that wo arc callod on to holp tlio Bunuiahs, or to assist them to
rocovorthoir money. T.hoy have mado considerable sums from farming the
Customs, and thoir continued possession of tho contract is not to the advantage
of British intorcsts generally at Bahrein. Other British Indian merchants
thoro, sneaking to mo about it, oxpresaed a hope that mattors would soon bo
put upon a proper footing, and I think a chango will bo universally
wolcomcd.
8. The Sheikh’s reluctance to employ a British official for his Customs is
partly duo to ignorant dread that wo will make it an excuse to iutorforo
gradually, more and'rao”ro,”m tho internal affairs of his Chiefship, nrnl pnrtlv
to tho representations of tho Buuniahs, who tell him that unless thoy have tho
Customs lie will not only got no more advances from thorn, but will liavo to
pay up what ho already owes them. Tho Sheikh, on his part, regards tho
arrangemout with tho Bunniahs as a convenient ono for raising monoy when
ho wants a stun down, and ho is also woll aware that when a regular system
is introduced tho irregular exactions which he now carries on when it suits
him will have to ccaso.
9. I am doubtful, thoreforo, if ho will ever ask for tho loan of an official
to work his Customs: hut,- if tho recently reported action of the Sultan of
Maskat, for direct working of tho Customs at that place, proves successful,
Sheikh Isa may decide to follow His Highness’s example, and take tho
Bahreiu Customs into his own hands.
Enclosure No. 7.
No. 294, doted Bueliiro, tbo 21th Dcccmlor 1900 (CoQfidt'ntinl).
From—Likutena.nt-Coi.onhl C. A. Keudall, Officiating Political Resident in tho
Persian Gulf,
To—Tbo Secretary to tbo Government of India, Foreign Department.
Tho Government of India in tho marginally noted letter to tho address of
tho Political llesidont in tho Persian Gulf
Ko. 205-E.A., 'Ulod the 7th Fobrufrjr 1800.
, were pleased to comply with tho re­
quest preferred by tho Chief of Bahrein that his oldost son, Shoikh Hauled,
should rcccivo recognition us successor designate to tho Chiefship of Bahrein.
My predecessor, howovor, for reasons givon in paragraph 5 of his letter No. 27,
dated 12tli March 1899, considered it advisablo to refrain from informing tho
Chief that liis request had been complied with, and was authorised by tho
Government of India* to oxorciso his dis*
•No. CIO E. A., dated 24th ApiU 1803.
cretion as to making known or withholding
thoordors of Government.
2. In my opinion.it is advisablo that the official notification to tho Chiof,
that tho Government of India liavo been pleased to recognize bis sou as liis
successor, should no longor bo withheld. It is true that tho Chief has not ns
yot scon lit to introduce reform in tho administration of his Customs, and
although I took the opportunity of my recont visit to Bahrein to talk over
tho matter with him, pointing out to him tho benefit which would undoubtedly
result to himself if ho wore to introduce reforms, and alluding lo tho success
attending tho monsuros recontly adopted by tho Sultan of Maskat, with regard
to his own Customs administration, I am doubtful if any ohangc will bo iutro-
duced during tho lifotimo of tho Chief. Sooner or lutor, however, reforms
will be mado, hut at prosont no good will bo done by pressing tho matter on
him any furthor. .
3. It is not necessary for mo to rofor to tho reasons which render it in
my opinion, desirable that tho Chiefs oldest son should be recognized as his
successor. Thoso havo already been givon by my predecessor, but as tho com-
municotion lms boon deferred for so long, and an I sco no immediate likoli-
liood of tho Chief bringing about tho reform of his Customs administration
IX