Page 324 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

II
314 Records of Bahrain

towards tho end of 1004 rendered it nooessary for 143 to
assort our authority over Sheikh Isa. Outrages ware
committed, in both oases by retainers of tJio Sheikh's
nephew Sheikh Ali, upon (1) a German named Bahnson, an

employ 6 of a German firm (2) \jpon oertain Persian sub foots.
Appeal was made to us in both instnnoos to
obtain reparation and to soouro the punishment of the
offenders. Tho German oaso was quiokly settled, but as
regui'ds the Persians Sheikh Isa proved refraotory, and

it was found necessary to send three gunboats to Bahrein
to onforoe our demands. An ultimatum was presented on
February 24, and the British demands were oomplied with.
Bo for00 was used. Our demands wore (1) t?vi pmi nJvzont
Tel. from Govt, of India, of six of tho guilty parties, (2)
I
i d/ 21 Jm.05 (267/05) the payment of compensation to tho
■
aggrieved Persians, (3) the maintenance of a speoial guard
l; for keeping order in Manama, the oapital of tho islandf(4)
Bheikh Ali's banisJment for 6 years, (5) the abolition of
the "Sukra" or nCorv6en system, tuhioh prevailed in Bahrein,
So.
i ** far as tho employ6s of foreirjners ware concerned. It
may bo mentioned that Sheikh Ali mads his escape at the
time, but ho has sinoe be n surrendered and is now under

detention in India.
! The Government of India had bean anxious to
seize the opportunity, whioh the inoidont offered, of
tolling action in regard to the Customs, But their proposal
that, in the event of resistance, the Custom Mouse should
be seized ahd only given baok with British officials in
Mr. Brodriok's telegram charge was votoed by M. M. Government.

d/lC Fob. 05(2039/06 )
The Government of India have always attached
Customs
great importanoe to Jhe question of the Bahrein
administration

> .

: