Page 263 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British influence and foreign interests, 1904-1906 253

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persons whose surrender is required by Government. I cannot therefore believo
that the Government will pardon Sheikh Ali before ho has done atonement for
his faults, but the punishments inflicted by the Government arc never unduly
harsh.
You must remember that until Sheikh Ali is brought in your reputation for
good faith is always under a cloud, and if the N'ayim tribe are as loyal to vou
as they arc claimed to be it should not be a difficult matter to effect Sheikh Ali’s
capture in Katar.
4. You have not noticed the request the I made in 'mv letter No. 97, dated
tlic for details of the flight of Sheikh Ali from Bahrein and his
subsequent movements, and I shall be glad to hear from you on this subject
for the information of the Government of India. It is understood that persons,
who assisted Sheikh Ali before he was declared an outlaw or who can prove that
they have harboured him subsequently in ignorance of this fact, will not be con­
sidered subject to blame.

Dated Bahrein, the <ih y«(«r mi
1 jib April i&oj*
From—Sheikh Isa din Ali, Al Khalifa, Chief of Bahrein,
To—Captain, F. B. Prideaux, Political Agent, Bahrein.
After compliments.— I received your two letters of yesterday’s date. I am
very thankful to you for having forwarded to the Resident Sheikh Ali bin
Ahmed’s letters . which the Resident has not yet seen on account of his being
away. In your opinion Sheikh Ali should either surrender himself to me or to a
man-of-war as soon as possible because the British justice is known to every
one. All that you say is quite correct.
The N’ayim tribesmen cannot capture Sheikh Ali.
I think that since Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed has petitioned the Government to
pardon him, he must be anxiously waiting for a reply. He will not do any mis­
chief now.
On being reminded by you about the information which you had asked me
in your letter No. 97, dated »regarding Sheikh Ali’s flight, I looked
up tho reply I had given you and find that I have not been negligent on this
point. I sent you enclosed copies of letters that passed between you and me
about Sheikh Ali. Probably through an oversight something was omitted in
my reply in original.
I cannot understand one passage of your letter, in which you state that
........______ ____
persons who assisted Sheikh Ali before an d after ho was declared an outlaw will
not be subject to blame. 1 beg therefore to excuse my asking you for a repiy to
the same. r

c. C. Pro.i, Simla,—No. C 110 F, S. W.