Page 283 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British influence and foreign interests, 1904-1906 273

never yet seriously taken—and then will come our opportunity to dictate terms,
when we can press for the reform not only of the Customs but also of the Land
Revenue Administration, the income from which l am certain is capable of being
not only doubled but multiplied many times over.
18. With regard to the Bedouin scourge, the scandal was first brought to
the notice of Government in a letter from the Native News Agent at Bahrein to
the address of the Political Resident on the 9th September 1889. Since those
days lam informed that the annual invasion has rather increased than dimi-
nished. The Chief entertains a fatuous idea that in time of pressing danger, his
kindness will be repaid by the tribesmen flocking to his assistance, but as all the
tribes of Masa are nominally subject to the Turks—the nomads being subsidized
and the partially-settled sections occasionally paying revenue—is in more likely
in my opinion that they would be found on tne side of the Sheikh's aggres­
sors than of himself. On the one occasion when the value of the Bedouin's
services might have been tested—in 1895, in connection with the threatened
invasion of Bahrein by Nasir l in Mubarak and Jasim bin Thani—the Sheikh
preferred to appeal for the assistance of the Government of India.
19. The Slavery question is a third matter in which I think a different line
of conduct is called for on the part of the Bahrein Authorities, and in which we
may justifiably take stronger action than hitherto, but I have nothing to add to
my representations on this subject, made in my letter No. 17;, dated the sCth
May 1905, to which l respectfully invite a reference.
20. To return now to Mr. Fraser's letter Nu. i873*E.B., I first beg to assure
you that the effect of the recent demonstration, so far as the official?, the nobles
and the unruly element of the population arc concerned, has had the most
-desirable results, and tlicre i6 little likelihood of a foreigner being again molested
for some time to come, or of hie failing to receive redress if unfortunately he
should suffer anything at the hands of the Sheikh's subjects.
The public, however, are aware that the Government of India's demands
have not been complied with iu full, and they are awaiting the issue with consi­
derable curiosity and interest.
21. The recommendations which you have submitleJ to Government
regarding the appointment of a selected Wazir, the delegation to an Indian
Olncer of the task of evolving an efficient police force, and the education of Sheikh
Khalifa in India arc all matters, l believe, which you contemplated imposing
upon the Chief as punishments or substituted demands in conscquence/T his
failure to surrender Sheikh Ali. You recognized that the Chief would dislike
each one of these measures quite as much as he dislikes the Customs proposal,
placing all iti the same category as interferences with his internal sovereign rights,
but it was hoped that the Government of India and His Majesty's Secretary of
State would see less objection on general political grounds in the acceptance
of one or more of these suggestions than in the proposal (which was decisively
negatived) to include in our Ultimatum the immediate reformation of the Customs.
22. Tne lightest of the 3 suggested demands is probably the third one,
and as Sheikh Hamad is still the most likely successor to Sheikh Isa, I
now venturp to recommend that in consequence of the non-surrender of Sheikh
Ali, the Chief should be ordered to send both Sheikh 'Hamad and Sheikh
Khalifa to India for at least a year, to tour amongst the principal Native States
as well as other places of importance under careful supervision. The retention
of Khalifa for a longer period could perhaps be subsequently arranged, and if
Sheikh Hamad refuses to comply with this demand l would recommend
that his recognition as heir-apparent be formally annulled, and Khalifa be
recognized in his place. It is possible th t the Chief may object to let
.his. 8911 and grandson go on the score of nis old ago, but while
1 would not admit this excuse in the case of Sheikh Hamad, whose
narrow-mindodness in my opinion can only be corrected by a course of foreign
travel, we could attain almost the same good results that we desire in the case of
7