Page 178 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

168 Records of Bahrain

•gj^ 9 MAY iSu4 No. 85 of 1904.
-
W.. %y/ GOVERNMENT OF INDIAo

FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.

EXTERNAL.

To
Tun Riout Hon’ble St. JOHN BRODRICK,
IBs Majesty's Secretary of State for India.

I

Simla, the 21st April 190d.
Sm,
We have tbo honour to address you regarding tbo affairs of Bahrein
and tbo arrangomonts for British representation at Manama. Tbo situation is
peculiar. Tbo protection of tbo British Govorumont has converted the island
from a scono of chronic external aggression and intestino feud into a peaceful
and flourishing centre-of industry and commcrco. Wo have not only secured
the stability of tbo presont Chiefs rulo, but, at tbo Sheikh’s entreaty and ✓ • i)
with tbo approval of His Majosty’s Govorumont, wo have recognised his sou,
Hnmed, as his heir, and havo thus practically guaranteed the succession on
Sheikh Isa’s death. Yet wo have never declared a formal protectorate; wo
havo demanded no tribute; and wo havo abstained from interference in
domestic affairs, oxcept at the Sheikh’s roquest. Sccuro in the gratuitous
enjoyment of tbo bonefits thus conforrcd upon him, tho Slioikh has forgotton
the past vicissitudos of tho Khalifa family and tho exactions and the loss of
indopcndenco to which his ancestors submitted at tho hands of tho Wahabi
Houso and of tho Imam of Maskat during the poriod immediately proccdiug
our intervention: while our moderation seems to havo inducod tho boliof in
tho Chiof’s mind that his relations with tho British Government aro of a kind
that involve no corresponding obligations on his own part.
2. Tho incorrcctnoss of tho Sheikh’s attitude has been conspicuously
noticcablo in connection with tho question of his Customs revenues, llis
Majesty’s Government aro awaro of tho existing system whereby tho Customs
arc farmed to British Indian Banias, and of tho..inadcfluac\Ljaf tho incomo , ,
which is obtained undor this arrangement. So far back as 1898, our Political (town
Rosident in tho Persian Gulf broachod tho subject with tho Chief, who
gave Colonol Mcado to understand that ho would not renew tho lease
which had then about fourteen months to run, without first communicating
with tho Resident. Later in tbo same year, in pursuance of a proposal
approved by your predecessor, Colonel Moado visited Bahrein with tho object
of inducing tho Sheikh to rocoivo a qualified officer to manage his Customs,
Dos pitc tho provious understanding, however, the loaso had in tho meanwhile
been u extended for a furthor poriod of two years; and no action was taken
boyond an expression by Colonel Moado of his disapproval of tho Sheikh's
bad faith. Three months later tho Sheikh, though still indisposed to roviso his
Customs arrangomonts, again promised not to enter into any fresh agreement
on tho expiry of tho oxisting contract in April 1002, without first informing
tho Resident. But in January 1900 Colonol Moado roportod that tho Sheikh
had again departed from his engagements, aud had prolonged tho loaso
for a fresh term of two years, .without provious intimation. A remons­
trance was made; and tho Chiof expressed regret; but noYortholoss, whon in