Page 216 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

206 Records oj Bahrain

18
4. With rogard to tlio suggestions for punishmont that I mad* in my lost
lottor, I wish to obsorvo that I do not boliovo thoro will bo any difficulty about
getting Sheikh lea to aoquicsoo io thorn. Thoro aroraoro than ono prooodont
intho rooords of yourofllco to show that ordors for tho banishment of indlvl-
duals or tho infliction of flnos havo boon submitted to without protest or dobiy,
Moroovor, tho Chief is so weak and afraid of a portion of his subjects that ho
is glad to bo ublo to toll them that hie actions aro promptod by Joroo majeuvo.
I am awaro that in rogard to tho Customs question tho Government of India
do not wish to gain thoir ends dircotly by compulsion, but in tho proiont oaeos,
if our authority is not unhesitatingly vindicated, our prostigo will bo lowered
not only bore, hut probably in the entiro length of tho Arab Coast. In those
circumstances I oarncstly hopo that you will boablo to soo your way to author­
izing tho adoption of strong measures ns quickly as poseiblo.
Enclosure No. 6.
Statements of Persian Subjects.
Deposition.
No. 1.
Iial (i.e. ICarbolai) Ahwaz states on eoloran affirmation :—I was in my
shop in tho nftoraoon in question, and, having heard from my son Ahdu Nnbi
tliut my 6ervauts wore being boaton, I closed my shop and went towards ray
house, but was ovortakon aud assaulted* I was knocked down in tho street by
a crowd of Arabs. Thoy bit me on tho head, body, and arms, and I fell insen­
sible, and when I carao to I found myself in ray houso,
Note.—This witnoss, a vory old man, agod about 80, was brought in on a
littor. lie was in a very oritical etato and not in a lit condition to bo cross-
examined or give further cvidouco. I thoroforo.sont him away, fearing that tho
ordoal might hill him.

No. 2.
Haji Abdul Nabi bin Kal Ahwaz, son of last witness (No. 1), on solomn
affirmation:—I am a businoss man. My ohiof work is as Ilamal Bash! for tho
Sheikh of Bahrain. I am also in tho omploymont of Gray Paul & Co. in con­
nection with the lighter servico. I am also Dubueh for tho British Navy in
Bahrein.
My ago is about 86.
I was in the Customs Warohouso (Amara) in tho afternoon about (10
Arabic) = (4 p.m. English).
Two of my nephews, Ali and Rahkhuda, came and told me that my omployd
and woighing man, Ramzan, had been killed in tho bazaar by boing bouton to
death by Arabs.
I thcroupon ran to tho baznar and found a crowd of people mobbing Ram­
zan, who was undor thoir foot, I called out and asked thorn why thoy wero
boating my servant. They tlion oaught mo by tho collar and said, “ Let us tako
him to Ali bin Ahmed (tho Sheikh’s nophow). Thoy thon dragged “me a tow
yards out of tho bazaar, when wo mot Mausoor bin Khalrulluh, acting JJazaar
Master, who rescued mo from thoir bonds.
i
I then wont uumolestod to my father’s shop and found it closod and my
father just on tho way to his houso. I joined him. On the way wo met
Rhgikh Ali bin Ahmed’s negro fiakhoit ol Nubi. who protonded to pacify mo
anatomaSo mtlo^Of^lrEat had bapponod and joined us himsolf. Oloso to
my houso is a < losquo oallcd Musjid-i-Juma. As we approaohod it, I noticed a
largo gathering of Arabs armed with sticks, daggers, and swords standing in
tho road. Bakhoit held up his bauds in a dopreoatory way, ostensibly ns if to
say to them " Lot thorn alone,” and oallod out, “ Balakum Balakum, ” ». e.t
“Toko caro, tako caro. "
I think.Jiowovcr^thflt it must ronllv havo boon a proarrangod sign booauao
thoy irmffcdiatcly made an assault upon us. I'hoy lilt mo on my hands and.
arras upraised forsclf-proteotiou, as I tried to osoape. Thoy caught hold of mjr
cloak, which como away from my shouldors, and 1 cscopod to tho houso of Ali
bin Kazim-Buahiri.