Page 663 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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REVIEW.

ARAB SIDE.
General.—With a few unimportant exceptions public opinion in the Arab
Shaikhdoms has been consistently pro-British. With the exception of the Shaikli
of Kuwait, whose weakness for intrigue occasionally led him astray, all the Rulers
maintained a steadfastly loyal and helpful attitude.
In November an appeal was launched for a Persian Gulf Fighter Fund which,
despite the general poverty of the local population and the small number of British
subjects met with a most encouraging response. Within a few days a sum of
Rs. 25,000 was collected and by the end of the year the prospect of sufficient
funds for the purchase of two or three aeroplanes was in sight.
The bombing of Bahrain in October by Italian aircraft fortunately resulted
in neither casualties nor damage. Except for an extraordinary display of panic
amongst the American employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company surprisingly
little notice was taken of the incident by the general public.
Royal Navy.—Owing to other preoccupations sloops of the Royal Navy and
Royal Indian Navy have not been able to pay frequent visits to the various Arab
Shaikhdoms.
An Italian submarine was rammed by H. M. S. “ Falmouth ” at the entrance of
the Gulf and her crew were taken prisoner and removed to Bahrain until arrange­
ments could be made for their despatch to India.
Aviation.—Except for a total interruption from June to September British
Overseas Airways Corporation Limited maintained a bi-weekly service between
Egypt and India.
From September the K. L. M. were permitted to use Bahrain regularly for their
weekly service in each direction, and Sharjah occasionally, under special autho­
risation.
The Royal Air Force made several routine flights.
Lighting and Buoying.—Proposals were made to ensure that the American
oil companies using the Route Lights paid some contribution towards the cost of
t heir upkeep, this aspect of the Gulf lighting and buoying having escaped the notice
of the authorities when the Sitra and Rennie shoal—Ras Tanura lights were
installed. No progress had been made by the end of the year.
Oil and Minerals.—On account of the war no geological survey parties of
Petroleum Concessions Limited visited Muscat and the Trucial Shaikhdoms.
In Qatar drilling operations have continued and by the end of the year a
second well had reached a depth of 4,798 feet and drilling was about to commence
on a third.
In Bahrain, the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited secured the concession
for the unallotted area.
The total production for the year was 7,073,919 barrels as compared with
7,588,544 barrels produced in 1939.
Royalty paid to the Bahrain Government amounted to Rs. 15,26,886 for
the first half of the year and Rs. 14,42,580 for the second half.
At the end of the year the Company’s employees numbered :—
1939. 1940.
Americans 67 55
Canadians 19
European British subjects 192 143
Indian British subjects . 374 352
Bahrainis 1,878 1,837
Others . 399 346
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