Page 271 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British influence and foreign interests, 1904-1906 261

• $4.

No. ;J9, dated Buahire, the nth (received 19th) Juno 1905.
From—Major P, Z. .Cox, C.I.E., Officiating Political Resident in tho Perilaa
Gulf,
To—S. M. Fraser, Eiq., C.I.E., Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign
Department.
In continuation of my letters Nos. 244 and 350, dated 4th Juno, l havo the
honour to submit a copy of a further communication, with enclosure, which I have
received from tho Political Agent at
No. 191. dated and June (received 6th Junt).
Bahrein.
2. I hardly know what view the Government of India will tako of Sheikh
Esa's letter of 351I1 Rabi-ul-Awal to the Political Agent, but it is evidont from thjs
translation that the tone of it is very unseemly ana I think Sheikh Esa wouFd
hardly have dared to write it had he not had some astute prompter at his elbow
when he did so.
At the same time, apart from tho unsatisfactory tono of the letter generally,
there are ono or two references in it not altogether unwelcome ; firstly, Sheikh
Esa's reference to his Treaty obligations; and, secondly, his mention of the
Customs question.
3. I am on the point of visiting Kowcit for a day or two, and if I fail to send
an answer by this mail to Bahrein, I shall have to wait for a fortnight. i have
therefore decided to send the Sheikh a reply which will I hope keep him quiet
until the Government of India have had time to consider tho position. A copy
is attached.
It was not easy to know how to answer him, but I have come to the conclu­
sion that it is best on the whole not to take him too seriously. In case however
the Government of India should not approve of what 1 have written, I am send­
ing the communication to Captain Pridcaux in memorandum form and havo
asked him simply to have it read to the Sheikh in his presence. If anything
seems to require emendation the Sheikh can be addressed later in official form.

No. 191, dated Bahrein, the and June 1905.
From—Captain F. B. Prideaux, Political Agent, Bahrein,
To—The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire.
In continuation of correspondence ending with my letter No. 174, dated the
27th May 1905, I have the honour to enclose, for your information, translation of
a letter dated the which the Chief of Bahrein has addressed
to me.
2. The Chief first wrote a letter identical with this one, except for tho
fact that it contained in the sentence beginning " What then is the reason for
thus insulting me, for taking possession ol my house and property," the additional
words "and the felling of my flag-staff". I pointed out to the Sheikh that I
had written to him on the 28th April 1905, informing him that the flag-staff had
been blown down in a recent heavy- gale and that it had not been lowered by
myself; he replied that he had forgotten this fact, and after some hesitation said
that he would have the letter re-written, omitting the incorrect remark.
3. The general tenor of the letter shows that tho Chief docs not intend to
accept uncongenial advice in connection with the internal administration of his
State, in spite of the written promise which he gave you.

Dated 25th Rabi-ul-Awal 1323 (30th May 1905).
From—Sheikh Esa DIN Au. Chief of Bahrein,
To—Captain F. B. Prideaux, Political Agent, Bahrein.
Since long have I been waiting for replies to my wishes, communicated
through you to the Political Resident, and nothing has transpired yet. Surely
this is indifference. 7