Page 700 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

ADMX. REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1911.
98
cholera. The figures for cases treated at the Hospital are as follows :—

1 n-patio nt*- Out-patten to. Total.

31 3,051
1911 . 3,081
1910 . 82 3,993 4,076
1909 . 98 4,870 4,974

The drop in the figures for 1911 is mainly to be attributed to the large
demands made on the Assistant Surgeon’s time by quarantine work during
the greater part of the year. The Mission Hospital is also probably
gradually acquiring a larger clientele.
Friendly relations were maintained throughout the year between the
Agency and Shaikh Isa. In many mat­
Relations with Shaikh Is*.
ters he was far from giving satisfaction,
but this is to be attributed to want of force and of practical experience and
ability rather than to malice and wilful perversity. That amity has con­
tinued to subsist, is less due to any tact on the part of the Political Agent
than to Shaikh Isa’s lack of all fighting-spirit and his readiness on the
slightest provocation to offer the other cheek.
In September, Shaikh Isa informed the Political Agent that his cousin
Shaikh Khalifah bin Hamad bin
Shaikh Isa tsd his F«ckt:ona.
Muhammad had suddenly left Bahrain
with the intention of invoking the assistance of the Turks in M recovering ”
his father’s property from Shaikh Isa. It was subsequently reported by toe
Political Resident at Baghdad that Khalifah had passed through that town
on his way to Constantinople.
As this wa3 not the first occasion on which this family had displayed
hostility to the Ruling Power, .Shaikh Isa was informed that if he saw fit
to take steps in reason to establish control over Shaikh Hamad-bin-Muham-
mad and his property, he would have our moral support. As in most matters
he preferred to let things slide.
Shaikh Isa on two occasions produced letters which had been addressed
him by the Wali of Basrah. _ The first
Shaikh Isa and tho Wali of Basrah.
_ was about the alleged detention of the
Hasa mails in the Bahrain quarantine. To this no reply was made. The
second asked for the extradition of a Basrah criminal who was supposed to
have absconded to Bahrain. With the Political Agent’s approval, the Shaikh
replied to this that the man had not come to Bahrain. This was believed to
he the truth.
Consequent on the agreement arrived at in 1910 between His Majesty’s
euin. of Bahrania in Moham^rai, Consul at Mohammerah and the Shaikh
.. , of Mohammerah regarding the pro1®^
tion by the British Government, of Bahrain subjects residing in the Shaikhs
territory, some doubtful cases of title to protection had to be discussed.
Under the terms of the agreement, only Bahranis who have settled
Arabistan since the accession of Shaikh Sir Khaz’al Khan are entitled to
Protection. There are probably in fact very few persons falling under this
description, and Shaikh Isa, even if he were not misinformed by those
interested, would probably be disinclined to recognise the test aa satisfactory.
No case has, however, as yet become a subject of serious dispute.
Early in the year it came to light that the Bahrain Customs were issuing
Tb* K*tii Custom*. certificates for goods shipped
„ . ... , Bahrain to Katif. It was sfcrtad tbs*
if such certificates were not produced before the Turkish officials, 22 pw
cent, ad valorem dues were exacted by them instead of 11 per cent,