Page 31 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

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British interests and influence, 1898-1904

into between the British Government and the Sheikhs of Bahrein, followed by
more recent closer relations, appear to justify an intimation by tho Jiiilisli
Government that tho status of Bahroin towards tho Government ol India is
identical with that of protected Native States in India.
5. If this step is taken, tho recognition of Sheikh Darned by th o Govern-
mentof India would ho merely following tho prccodent often adopted in India,
and would not, ns tho succession is approved by so many of tho elders ot tho
tribo, bo opposed to Arab ideas, or likely to causo troublo hereafter.
6. On tho contrary such a recognition by the Government of India would
so strengthen the position of Sheikh Hamed that his succession will probably
tako place without opposition, and without any of tlioso otherwise inevitable
struggles between members of the ruling family, which ensuo on the dcmiso
of a Muhammadan ruler. Such struggles would cortainly bo prejudicial to
our interests in Bahrein, and it is, I consider, worth wliilo undertaking some
additional responsibility to prevent them.
7. If tho Government of India arc disposed to accede to tho wishes of
Shoikh Esa, and to rocogniso the succession of his oldost son, I think tho
Sheikh should bo called on, as a condition of that recognition, to enter into
evou closer political relations with us than at present exist, and though not
directly connected with the particular question of tho succession, I tako tlio
opportunity to montion that I am at present endeavouring to assist t he Sheikh
as rogards thc bettor control of tho customs of Bahreiu, which are fanned out
to a syndicate of British Indian merchants trading to Bahrein. Oho -'Sheikh
docs not receive anything liko a proper sharo of tho proceeds, and I* would
suggest that ndvantago may bo taken of the recognition of his son to urge
1 Shoikh Esa to place tho control of the customs in our hands. This would
relievo tho Shoikh of his financial difficulties, and immensely improve our
position not only in Bahrein itself, but also generally throughout tho Persian
Gulf.
8. Another and not unimportant reason for recommending tho recognition
of Sheikh Hamed is that it ought effectually to put an end to the pretentions
of Turkey in regard to Bahreiu.
9. Tho printed correspondence forwarded with Porcign Department endorse­
ments noted on the margin, shows that
No. 1-F». A., dated 24th March 1808, nnd No. CIO.
K.A., dnUd lUlli April 1808. the Turkish Government still attempts to
assert some sort of claim over tho islands,
aud that tho Porto actually askod that our officers thcro should bo furnished
with an Ottoman Exequatur.
10. The British Government have informed the Porte that they cannot admit
the right of tho Turkish Government to insist on Consular Officers in Bahrein
being provided with an Ottoman Exequatur, but I venture respectfully to
poiut out that wo may go further and inform tho Turkish Govorumeut that
tho ropresontntivo wo maintain at Bahrein is not a Consular Officer, but is a
Itcsidcncy (Political) Agent under tho Government of India, and if, as 1
strongly recommend, it is decided to improve our position there, tho chango
should, I consider, be accompanied by tho appointment of a Political, - and not
a Consular, Officer of higher rank than our present Agent.
Diltud lllO IMG
7tli February IMW,'
From—Sheikh Esa din Am Ai.-Khalifaii, Chief of Bahrein,
To—Likutenant-Colonkl M. J. Mf.adk, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
After compliments.—I beg to address you on tho subject of the corres­
pondence regarding my sou Sheikh Darned, and my wish to appoiut him my
successor. I beg to inform you tlmt my object is to ensuro tho continuanco
of penco and tranquillity to nil tho pooplcaud subjects.
I oncloso a copy of tho sanction (will) issued by me, and I trust that after
a perusal of it, the Great Government will bo pleased to issuo their orders
sanctioning and ratifying tho succession. Aud that you will then plaeo mo
uudor your obligation.
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