Page 83 - Records of Bahrain (4) (ii)_Neat

Regional relations, 1927 385

II
£3.Tn 1838 the Wahabi Amir was captured by the Egyptians and deported
to Egypt, a puppet being set up in his place.
The Shaikh of Bahrain was much alarmed at the rumours he heard and, in
reply to the demands of the puppet Amir Khulid, professed himself to be a subject
of the Persian Government; as a result the Persian Governor of Shiraz sent an
envoy to reside at Bahrain, but his mission was a failure.
The intentions of Khurshid Pasha, the Governor of Hasa, now became clear and
the Government of India found themselves, to some extent, bound to anticipate
the intentions of II. M.’s Government regarding the policy to be pursued
in the Persian Gulf, and the presence of a British Naval Squadron in the Gulf
was made use of, and the Commander was instructed “ strongly to use his in­
fluence ” to deter the Egyptian General from further encroachment. The Admiral
was empowered, in the event of the Shaikh of Bahrain soliciting British aid, to
alford every encouragement to resist, and all the support he could render without-
engaging in actual hostilities.
The Governor General of India was not disposed at the time to enter into
any new engagement with the Shaikh of Bahrain, but the Admiral was instructed,
in ease such an engagement should.be suggested, so far to encourage the proposals
of the Shaikh as to transmit them for the consideration of the Goveri liimt of
India.
In other words the Government realised the seriousness of the situation if the
Egyptians desired to annex Bahrain, but did not wish to be drawn into a difficult
situation unless circumstances really demanded it.
24. Erom this period dates our more active intervention in the affairs of
Bahrain.
Tn a letter dated 18th April, 1830, the Indian Government advanced beyond
the position they had taken up, and empowered the Admiral, in the event of the
Shaikh claiming British intervention, and offering to place his territories under
British protection, to assure him of the temporary protection of II. M/s Squadron
and to intimate his action to the Egyptian Commander.
About the same time the Admiral visited Bahrain, accompanied by Captain
Edmunds, Assistant Political Resident, and Shaikh Abdullah gave the latter a pro­
mise that he would take.no steps to place himself under the authority or protection
of a Foreign Power without first consulting the British Resident: but in the same
year the Shaikh unexpectedly acknowledged the supremacy of the Egyptians and
covenanted to pay them a tribute of >2,000 per annum, on condition that his local
authority should he preserved and that no Egyptian representative should be sen!
to reside at Bahrain. The Shaikh justified his notion by the Resident’s refusal
lo give him advice, or a specified assurance of support, and of a virtual immunity
from disturbance which he had purchased for u trilling and mere pecuniary
saw iff cc.
25. The Resident delivered a written protest to the Shaikh, and another in
nearly the same terms to the Egyptian Commander. The. Shaikh protested that
he would never, even at I he demand of the Egyptians, place himself in opposition
to the British Government and lie olfered, on condition that, distinct pledges of pro­
tection should be given him in writing lo repudiate his agreement with the Pasha
mid to avow himself a dependent, of the British Government -but he refused to
put this in writing.
2(5. This circumstance is most illuminating, especially in relation to our
dealings with the Shaikhs of Qatar and the. Trueial Coast to-dav, where the circum­
stances are very similar. Without our definite pledge of assistance the Shaikh
(>f Bahrain of that day could not afford t.o compromise himself with the power on the.
mainland.
The Egyptian question was brought to nil end in the following year, 1810,
<»n tho evacuation of llu.su.
27. By his conduct with the Egyptians Shaikh Abdullah had forfeited the
lust of the British Government, and the possibility of his being displaced by
J inore favourably disposed Shaikh was discussed.