Page 719 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

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POB THE YEA.E ml.
is a guest of His Majesty’s Government He was accompanied by Major
H. E. Bowman. The party arrived in London on 13th Ootober 1919 and were
teoeivcd by His Majcaty^tho King in Buckingham Palace on 30th October
1919. On 26th November 1919, they attended a joint conference of India and
Jboreign Offices to discuss Arabian affairs. (Note. .The party shortly after­
wards roturned to Bahrain, reaching Hassa on 12th February. 1920).
(c) The eafety of the Hassa Riyadh trade route was maintained during the
year. This being entirely due to the splendid and remarkable work done by the
Amir Bin Jaloui, cousin of Shaikh 8ir Abdul Aziz bin Abdur Rahman as 8aud,
and ruler of Hassa and Qatif. No praise is too high for the work done by this
man and it is hoped Bis Majesty’s Government will sea its way to recognise
the exceptional qualities of this man by a fitting reward in the near future.
(d) The Akhwan.—-This movement is increasing rapidly, and in 1919 has
made great headway throughout Arabia. It is not the bad move of tbe
Wahabis of a century ago. In nature it is simply a great revival of Religious
belief among the ignorant Bedouin It is being fostered and guided by the
Amir of Nejd, Bin Sand, who is far too able and clear-sighted a ruler to allow
the movement to deteriorate into a fanatical and anti-European crusade. Bin
gaud has the movement absolutely in hand, and may be expected to use it as a
political rsiher than a religious weapon. The many storie3 and alarmist
rumours regarding the movement may be set aside as idle gossip. The Akhwan
are tbe strong backbone, and Pretorian guard, co to speak,lot Bin Sand. They
are soldiers rather than prices. The roundheads of a modern Cromwell.
(e) Bin Saud recently lodged a formal complaint against Shaikh Isa of
Bahrain charging 5 per cant, on gooes pairing through Bahrain en route for
Nejd. He contends such goods should pay no duty to the Shaikh of Bahrain
as they are neither consigned to, nor are intended for, Bahrain. The matter
has been referred to higher authority and is now under coDsideration.
(/) Jurisdiction over subjects of Bin Sav.d ichilst on a visit to, or resident
in, Bahrein—Bin Saud has recently raised the question also. He is very
anxious that all his subjects should te considered f.3 under the British Agency’s
protection whilst in Bahrain. His desire has boon strengthened rccontlr, owiag
to the fact coming to light of several cases of “ Zulum” towards his subjects.
(#) Opening up of Ojair and Jubail Harbours on the mainland of Hassa
as ports to serve Ncjd, Qassirn and Ha:ca. Bin Saud has intimated to the
Political Agent that he was anxious to take the above work in. hand, and
officially asked His Majesty’s Government that they try and get the British
India Steam Navigation Company to run a steamer at once to Ojair, and later
on another to Jubail.
The above matter has not yet gone beyond the initial stages. It is hoped
that the Deputy Political Resident will shortly visit Ojair, Ras Tanurah, and
Jubail with the Political Agent, Bahrain, when it will be possible to decide bn
the merits of each as the future harbour uid port of Nejd.
VI—Qatar.—Friendly correspondence on minor matters and givin<* of
news has been kept up with Shaikh Abadullah Bin Jasimath Thani, Shaikh
Ahadullah was gazetted, C.I.E., on June 3rd, 1919.
VIL— Customs Bahrain.—(a) Rao Sahib Tiratbdas Maharaj, late Director
of Customs, Bahrain, headman of the Hindu community in Bahrain and Brahmin
community in Karachi, died of diabetes at Karachi. He had greatly assisted
the Agency in putting^stop to smuggling of food-stuGfs to Tangistan coast
during the blockade and was especially thanked by the Deputy Political Resident.
Colonel A. P. Trevor, C.S I, C.I.E , for good work. Bahrain Customs could
ill-afford to lose the services of such, Taluabie and devoted officer and Shaikh
Isa still feels his loss. u "