Page 33 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British interests and influence, 1898-1904 23

Copies of above wore sont t.o—(1) Her "Britannic Majesty’s Political Agont
and Consul, Maskat; (2) Ilor Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Consul, Mohammerah;
and (3) British Vice-Consul, Bushiro, for favour of their opinion.

No. 100, dated MasUnt, tlio 17tl» May 1893.
From—Major C. G. F. Fagan, Political Agent nl Maskat,
To—Tho Political Itosidont in tho Porsian Gulf.
With reference to your confidontial endorsement No. 35, dated 10th April
18')8,1 have tho honour to forward copy of a let!or from Surgcon-Licutcnant-
Colonel Jayakar, on tho subject of tho advisability of recognizing tho oldest
son of tho Sheikh of Bahrein. Doctor Jayakar's long experience of tho Arabs
and their ways has induced uic to avail myself of his valuablo aid, and to
forward you his views on the subject.

No. G, dated Maskat, the 17th May 1898.
From—-SunoF.ON-LiEUTENANT-Coi.ONKL A. S. G. Jayakar, Civil Surgeon, Maskat,
To—Tho Political Agont at Maskat.
With rcforeuco to your docket No. 183 of 10th May 1808, on the subject
of the request.mado by tho Sheikh of Al-Bahroin for the recognition of his
cldost son as his successor by tho Government of India. I havo tho honour to
ohsorve, first, that the cldost son of a Shoikh of an Arab tribo is not necessarily
regarded ns tho successor to tho Sheikhship of that tribe. There seems to ho
no recognized rule to that effect, and, whilst tho usual custom is for the po^plo
to recognize tho son or any other near relation of tho Shoikh who is regarded
by himself and tho people generally during his life-timo as his probable succes­
sor, instances aro not wanting to show that the largest purso and the longest
arm aro tho most important factors in determining a contest for succession.
It often happens that tho Shoikh during his lifo-timo puts forward his favourite
sou or ono whom ho wishes to succeed him in the Sheikhship on all important
occasions during his lifo-time, and tho people necessarily regard him as their
future Shoikh. Such I learn from information gathered hero to bo tho actual
case at Al-Bahrcin, whoro the would-be rival successors have not only acquiesced
in the matter, but have given their expressed consent to tho succession of
tho eldest sou.
The recognition by tho Government of Indiaof any successor of tho Sheikh
of Al-Bahrcin would necessarily mean binding the Government to install
him in tho Sheikhship when tho occasion for it arises, oven by means of activo
moasurcs if necessary, hut it appears to ino from tho previous history of Al-
Bahrcin that tho moral influence of such a course would in itsolf havo tho
boncficinl effect of dotorring any of the rivals or people generally from rising
against tho acknowledged successor, so that a peaceful succession, which is much
to bo dosired in tho interests of British trade, would follow. Should it, how­
ever, happen that somo timo after tho succession of tho recognised heir to tho
Sheikhship lie proves to bo a weak ruler or unablo to maintain his position,
I am of opinion that it will bo open to Government either to givo him or with­
hold from him their support, and tho present engagement would not thou
bind them to any particular lino of policy. 1 am not in a position to form au
opinion os to the probable effect that such recognition by tho Government of
India would have on the feelings of the people of Al-Bahroin, but judgiug from
what I learn hero that they havo given their consent, to tho succession of tho
Sheikh’s eldest son, I should think that (hoy would ho glad to havo tho moral
support of Government, and it will thus materially strengthen our influonco
with thorn. As regards the Arabs of Oman who havo come to look upon AU
Bahrein as being in tho position of a British protectorate, such a eourso would
pot only noUurprisc them, but would, iu my opiuiou, bo looked upon by thorn
•f