Page 57 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

47
British interests and influence, 1898-1904

and induced tho Shaikh through his Vazicr to demand tho return of tho
concession. Messrs. Fraeis Times refused to givo it back, and, eventually, in
January last, tho Shaikh took possession of the stocks of arms and arm-
munition belonging to the firm at Bahrein.
22. Tho first intimation I lmd of this was by a telegram which reached
mo at Jaslc when I was on my way to Bahrein, immediately after tho MJizuro
of tho anus from tho'* Baluchistan. ” Mr. Pridcaux in reporting tho matter,
6aid that it had been made without reference to the Residency, and dcprooalcd
tho action of tho Shaikh and of tho Agent.
23. X reached Bahroin on tho.. 4th February and found that tho Shaikh
had put his locks on tho godowns. HcTasked mo to put tho Residency soals ou
also, and, at first, I thought of doing so, but after consideration, I came to
tho conclusion that it would be better to mako the Shaikh entirely responsible,
and I informed him that, as ho had taken on himself to put his locks on tho
godowns of an English firm, ho would have to mako good any loss and
damage they might claim, if, afterwards, it was decided that ho had not boon
justified in liis action.
24. Mr. Fraeis, who was then at Bahrein, protested* vorbnlly, and hogged
mo to order the roleaso of his arms and ammunition. This I did not, under
all tho circumstances, fcol justified in doing, but I informed Mr. Fraeis that
lie should put forward in writing all lie wished to urgo, and let mo sec tho
original concession granted by tho Shaikh. Ho was also warned that tho
sooner ho did this tho hotter. An inventory of tho arms and ammunition in
tho godowns was subsequently made, and sent to me.
25. Though Mr. Francis was asked early in Fobrunry to put in his written
application, ho did not comply till the 29th April, when I was at last able to
judgo the grounds ol his appeal. In ins statement no endeavours to assert a
claim against tho British Goverumont, though, as will bo seen from what l have
written above, the mcasuro was really the act of the Shaikh himself, without
reference to tho Residency. Tho only stop’ I liavo takon was my refusal to
interfere and order tho roleaso of the goods, without a formal written
application from Mr. Fraeis, 'which I intended to refer to Government
for orders, and I trust that, under tho circumstancos, and in consideration
of tho character of tho goods in question, it will bo considered I was
justified in acting ns I did. I will now, as soon as possible, submit his
application with an oxprossion of my own views; but I will probably have to
mako somo further onquiry on certain points boforo the matter is finally dis­
posed of. I have called on tho firm to reply to statements I received from the
| Shaikh and from tho Residency Agont, and when I hear what they have to say,
shall report soparaloly on tho Bahroin ease.
20. (D) One caso of arms for Fraeis Times & Co., port-marked for Bah­
rein, was seized on hoard tho “Fresco” at Bushirc, by the Malik-ut-Tujar.
Epquirios aro being mndo as to its disposal, und a further report will bo sub­
mitted later on, when it has been traced.
27. (E) Lastly Mossrs. Fraeis.Times complain that tho notification pub­
lished by tho Consul at Muscat, warning British subjects ogaiust exporting
arms and ammunition to British India and Persian posts, has locked up a
quautity of their goods at that place. It seems nocdless to mako any obser­
vations on this complaint. Tho importation of arms to Persia and British
India being illegal, it was tho duty of tho British authorities to warn British
subjects against it.
28. It will ho seen that although sovoral firms liavo also been cnea^od
in this illicit trade, nono liavo sufforod so heavily from tho rocont proceedings
as Messrs. Fraeis, Times. This is duo to their being far moro lioaviTv
ongagod in it than any othor British firm. Mr. Fraeis is a Parsco. Mr. Times
is, I bcliovc, English, but tho staff is cliiolly composed, I understand, of Parsecs
Tho firm, as fur as I can gather, has nover had a high roputation, and wont
in for this arms traffic as a speculation, making for a time largo profits from
CO