Page 702 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1011.
100
On several occasions during the year search for arms waa carried out by
Mr c;±r,h°""
- - — were over­
hauled, and boats and houses were examined. In no case, however, were these
efforts rewarded with success.
Such enquiries have been made as were possible with the staff and means
available. Their results point to the probability of there being little dealing
in arms actually in Bahrain itself. It is believed, however, that several local
merchants of high standing are interested in the trade, and it is more than
probable that there are often boats in the harbour which are engaged in it.
The active centre of the trade is beyond all question Katr and in particular
Dohah, where the import by land and sea from Maskat, and the export to
the Persian Coast ana to Hasa, are extremely active.
During the year 24 slaves were manumitted by the Agency after due
enquiry. Several were refugees from
Manominion of Slave*.
Deoai and Abu Dhabi.
In two bad cases of recent purchase and importation by a couple of
Bahrain subjects, Rashid-bin-Muhanna and Muhanna-bin-Fadhal, Shaikh
Isa, on the recommendation of the Resident, exacted a fine of Rs. 500 from
each of the masters.
In autumn a case occurred in which one Isa-bin-Ahmed, Dosiri, had an
ex-slave, who held a manumission certificate from the Agency, imprisoned
by the Amir of Muharraq with the knowledge of Shaikh Hamad-bin-Isa.
The case was at once taken up by the Agency and all parties pleaded ignor­
ance. The excuse would not hold as regards Isa-bin-Ahmed as the manu­
mission certificate had been issued by Major Prideaux in 1903 with his
knowledge. Sheikh Isa has issued to the ex-slave, who is a diver, a ‘ Barwa
Khalawi,' or “ quittance of all indebtedness to his employer,” but he is being
further pressed to impose some definite punishment on the offending Nakhuda,
who has declined to tender to the Political Agent a formal apology of any
sort
Some difficulty was experienced with other members of Dosiri clan in
regard to a female soi-disarA slave, which was solved after due delay by the
issue of a manumission certificate.
During the second half of the year there was a strong movement initiated,
or at least headed, by Shaikh Kasim,
Foreign Bid Characters.
the Chief Kazi, to put down immoral
form of life in Bahrain. There are said to be a large number of houses of
ill-fame, which are alleged, probably with truth, to 6erve the subsidiary pur­
pose of providing rendezvous for thieves and bad characters, and places for
die deposit and resetting of stolen property. It is admitted that Bahrain
subjects, and in particular the Shaikh’s entourage, are interested in these or
similar conoerns, but public opinion and the self-righteous Kazi appeal in
▼ain to Shaikh Isa’s apathy or inertia.
Accordingly strenuous efforts have been made to attack only the foreign­
ers, and the Political Agent has been obsessed by the Kazi, who will only
talk in general terms. The Political Agent has expressed his entire readi­
ness to take such measures as are advisable, preferably deportation, in a.ny
esse where reasonable proof of evil living is brought against any particular
foreigner. Reference should properly be made by the Bahrain Government,
hut complaints of private individuals who were in any way sufferers by their
neighbours’ misconduct would be investigated. Only one such suit waa filed,
*na it was immediately settled out of Court. The Political Agent also
pressed his readiness at any time to discuss with the Ruler measures to be
enforced equally on foreigners and native Bahrainis. He has also deponed
n&ny foreigners who have been convicted of theft or have been unable to snow
any probability that they were earning an honest livelihood.
The same old generalities and vague expostulations are still voiced by the
^azi; but the movement is subsiding. It was probably designed as a means
y bringing the influence of the Agency to bear on Shaikh Isa, and was
fostered by individuals who would like to have seen these two authorities a*