Page 171 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 100,MOOT. 67
Tn consequence of Shaikh Esa’s apparent objections to supporting his nephew
suitably in Bombay on an allowance of Rs. GOO per mensem, which he wished to
diminish by half, and also owing to the apprehension of the Government of Bombay
lost the detenu should abscond, the Chief was asked in July 190G whether he could
suggest a satisfactory alternative renderine Shaikh Ali’s evil influence inoperative.
When thus confronted with the possibility of his nephew’s return to Bahrain,
the Chief emphatically expressed his disinclination to have him back, and withdrew
all objections to subscribing the monthly allowance required by the Government
of Bombay.
The question of the status of the Jews in Bahrain gave rise to some friction In
April 1906. There are only about 50 members of this community in Bahrain, all
of whom have come to the islands temporarily for purposes of trade during the last
ten years. On the advice of a Mullah the Chief informed the Political Agent that
he proposed to levy a special tax from the community, as was done in certain other
parts of the world.
The Government of India decided that these foreign Jews were entitled to
receive as much British protection as was accorded to their fellow subjects of the
Christian and Muhammadan religions, and the proposal was therefore disallowed.
The Chief accepted unhesitatingly the Government’s decision.
In May 1906 the Chief consulted the Political Agent as to whether the Govern"
ment of India would object to his raising a flag-staff on the open square to the east
of the sequestrated house formerly occupied by Shaikh Ali bin Ahmad, and in lieu
of the staff which had formerly stood on the top of the said house. He was
promptly informed that there was no objection to his proposal.
Subscriptions were then invited from the public of Bahrain, and an imposing
flag-staff, a few feet taller than the British staff, was erected in July 1906 during
the time of the Political Agent’s absence in India. The first occasion of flying the
flag was observed with great rejoicings by the Arabs, the ceremony being presided
over by Shaikh Hamad bin Esa, and a salute of guns being fired.
The farm to the Hindu Syndicate of the one per cent duty of the Customs
expired on 25th May 1906. The Chief thereupon authorized the Syndicate’s
Manager to continue collecting the revenue on his behalf, until the farm of the four
per cent duty should also lapse in January 1908.
It is understood that the Chief has not profited at ill by this arrangement.
German commercial activities in Bahrain have received a considerable impetus
from the periodical calling of steamers of the Hamburg-Amerika lane at the port,
and the appointment of Messrs. R. Wonckhaus & Co. as Agents for the line. With­
out this relief it is doubtful whether the firm would have continued much longer
to do business here, as they feel the competition of Messrs. Gray Paul & Co. very
severely. Even now, Messrs. Wonckhaus have not found it necessary to add any
Europeans to their staff of one in the place.
In June 1906 Mr. Sturken, Managing Partner of Messrs. Traun Sturken & Co.,
visited Bahrain with Mr- Wonckhaus in the course of a trip of inspection round the
Gulf.
These gentlemen called on the Chief of Bahrain in company with Mr. Eisenhut,
the local representative of the firm. Mr. Sturken afterwards proceeded homewards
through Tehran.
The first Hamburg-Amerika Steamer Canadia called at Bahrain on the 26th
August 1906 ; she was followed by six other vessels from Europe during the year
under report, the average number of packages brought being only 738.
Three of these vessels also called on the homeward run, taking a few pilgrims,
8omc dates for Jedda and some mother-of-pearl shells for Hamburg. The
German Consul from Bushirc, Dr. Listemann, visited Bahrain twice, coming in
the first steamer in August 1906 and again in the same vessel on the 22nd January
1007. On the first occasion the Consul seemed to entertain some idea of inter­
viewing Shaikh Esa in support of Messrs. Wonckhaus* application for permission to
fly the llamburg-Amerika Line's flag on a mast over their house, the second visit
seemed only to have been made for the purpose of inspecting the Tumuli and
excavations at ’Ali. On neither occasion did he call upon the Chief, having evL
dently discovered the first time that Shaikh Esa was quite resolved not to allow
unofficial foreigners to erect flag-staffs over their houses.