Page 96 - Records of Bahrain (4) (ii)_Neat

398 Records of Bahrain

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2G. Six months Inter Major Dickson reported—
(1) Political situation wholly unsatisfactory.
(2) Strong long standing and deep-seated anti-British sentiment.
(3) British prestigo rests on fear and not on respect.
lie also stated that Shaikh Tsa was a very old and weak man with sincere feelings
of friendship for Iiis Majesty’s Government but easily swayed and confusod in his
judgment by astute minds and intrigues dictated for the most part by intentions
evil to him and to us. It is amusing to note that as far back ns 1808-1809 Colonel
Mendo had referred to Shaikh Isa as a very old man with a weak character.
About the same time Government interfered in a difference between Shaikh Isa
and Ibn Saud regarding the duties to be charged on goods proceeding to Hnsn.
Shaikh Isa was compelled to accept 2 p. c. duty much to his chagrin ns lie considered
Government had favoured Ibn Saud at his expense.
27. In the meantime Shaikh Abdulla had visited England and had an interview
with Sir Arthur Hertzel which was illuminating with regard to the Shaikh’s feelings.
Shaikh Abdulla asked that—
(1) Shaikh Isa should be put on an equality with neighbouring Arab rulers
in the exercise of authority over all persons except subjects of Great
Britain and the Great European powers (i.c., Ncjdis and Persian, otc.).
(2) Shaikh Isa should be empowered to select the Bench of Magistrates.
; (3) Shaikh Isa should be given a port at Zubarah in Qatar.
(4) Shaikh Isa should be given permission to correspond direct with London.
I need not dilate on the last two points. The first two were part of the senti­
ment for which Shaikh Isa had been fighting throughout, that is to say his pride of
position with his fellow Arabs and his idea of his independence.
! 28. During 1020 the question of jurisdiction over Nedjis and the pcoplo of Hnsa
had caused some friction between Shaikh Isa and the Political Agent.
i On the Gth May 1920 the Secretary of State for Lidia informed Shaikh Abdulla
by letter, through the usual sources, that with reference to his first demand of the
previous year, quoted above, the Government agreed that the Shaikh of Bahrain
i should exercise jurisdiction over the subjects of other Arab ltulcrs, provided that
! ! the Rulers themselves concurred, but on the 8th of the same month the Political
Agent had already stated that Bin Saud objected to the Shaikh controlling his
subjects and in July reported that Bin Saud had in writing requested him to exercise
the jurisdiction in question.
The Shaikh of Qatar sent a similar request.
The Political Agent accordingly issued a notice on the 2Gth November 1920
that all Porcign subjects including Persians and subjects of Arab rulers and Chiefs
other than those of Bahrain arc, while residing in Bahrain, entitled to the protection
of If is Majesty’s Government. Thus jurisdiction over all foreigners passed to the
Political Agent. The situation naturally caused friction with Shaikh Isa and left
him smarting.
l •
29. In 1921 Major Daly who had succeeded as Political Agent summed up the
situation in Bahrain in t he following terms :—
“ Shaikh Issfs wife holds a regular court and imprisons and punishes at her
will with a total disregard of the most elementary laws of even Arab
justice. The Salifeh diving court has degenerated into a single venal
! judge owing to Shaikh Isa having become deeply indebted to Rashid
bin Mohanna............. a disturbing element is the rapid incrcaso of
the family of al Khalifeh. There is no outlet for the many younger
members and no attempt is made to educate them for any occupa­
tion.”
Major Daly had previously reported the gross oppression practised on the
Shiahs by the al Khalifeh and especially by Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa, who had hi'*
father and mother’s complete confidence and consequently ruled Bahrain.
30. Jn 1921 the rising discontent frightened Shaikh Abdulla, and Shaikh
appointed his heir Shaikh llamud to take over the control of afi'airs under his orders,