Page 281 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British influence and foreign interests, 1904-1906 271

5. Subsequently, in the years 1873 to 1875 the Chief was vflry ahjg'oys to
assert his'claims to certain possessions outside of Bahrein, and he was repeatedly
told that if he did not follow the advice of the Government of India to keep clear
of all entanglements with the Turks, Wahabis, etc.', on the maln’and, the Govern­
ment 01 India would pot protect him from the consequences of his acts..
<3. In these two eases it seems that the feasibility of tho Sheikh's throwing,
off the protection of the Indian Government was fully existent.
7. This position was, however, modified by tho agreements of ,1880 and
1892, under which the Chief bound himself not to enter into negotiations with
any other Government than the British, not to accept the Agencies of such
Governments and not to alienate any of his territories to foreigners without the
consent of the British Government. On their part, the Government of India, did
not assume any fresh obligations, but the various occasions on which they have
protected the Chief of Bahrein diplomatically against States other than tho tribes
of the Persian Gulf may be set oft against the benefits conferred Upon us under1
these Agreements.
8. As a corollary to these two Agreements which relate only to the Chief's,
foreign relations, the right of the Government of India to protect all foreigners in
Bahrein was subsequently asserted and established.
9. In 1901, at the special request of Sheikh Isa, the Government of India
consented to recognize Sheikh Mamed as the heir to the Chiefship, and this is
the only recorded instance in which the Government have taken cognizance of a
purely internal matter affecting the principality.
10. The Chief feels strongly that the alteration of his Customs System
without his approval is an infringement of his internal sovereign rights which ho
must resist to the utmost extent of his capability, and it is this feeling alone,
1 am convinced, which actuates him in his misguided attitude. The reasons
which cause his advisers and associates to oppose the reform arc various and.
purely selfish.
11. At this point l will Yontureto refer to the resources of Bahrein and the
manner in which the proposition to reform the Customs originally arose.
Tho Sheikh's present revenues arc estimated—very roughly—to be as
follows:—
Rs.
From Customs I.T 1,50,000
„ Date gardens 1/00,000
„ Pcarling*boats ... 8,000
,, Judicial Fees (Khidmah) Succession Duties,
otc. (at 10 per cent.) 20,000
„ Town lands, shops and Khans • •• • •I ’ 14,000
„ Miscellaneous sources includiugSecret Ex­
tortions ... ... 8,000
Total Rs. Ml 3,oo(ooo

His expenses arc 1—
Personal, including Body-guard's salaries 1.00. 000
Abnormal expenses (marriages, journeys, etc.) 30.000
Family allowances • t • • •• III 1.00. 009
Administration expenses Ml • •• Ml M,ooo
Subsidies and presents to Dedouin 56.000
Total 3,00,000

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