Page 694 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1932

talkative and said it reminded him of having tea with people when he was in England. Prior came over later and told me about
their interview. Prior told him just what he thought of him, but he didnt seem to have minded much. I do wish he was not so
very weak. In the afternoon he looked at the proclamation cancelling the previous one and sent a copy out to Shaikh Abdulla
at Muharrak to see before signing it. The fact that he has given way does not seem to worry him at all, he keeps on saying that
it is better for the Government to give way than to have blood shed which would certainly happen if the Proclamation was not
cancelled.

Thursday 11th February 1932
Office still shut for the holiday. Heard in the morning that the bazaars were not yet open as they had not got the Proclamation
out yet. A crowd came round to the house in the morning, about a couple of hundred people, mostly Shias; I heard afterwards
that they were armed, with them Yusuf Fakroo and Shaikh Abdulla's eldest son. I sent a message to say that as the bazaar was
shut so I also was shut, but I saw Yusuf Fakroo and Abdulla bin Jabr who came in too and eventually gave them some copies
of the proclamation cancelling the first one. Had a long argument with Yusuf Fakroo who was quite polite but very obstinate.
They continued to keep the bazaar shut all day as the Agency also issued an amended note but it was not posted during the day.
The deputation who came to me went out to Sakhrir but the Shaikh, as I had, would not see them and just sent out a message to
them, but signed the order. Went over to the Agency in the morning and was there some time, a lot of foreigners came there
and had an interview with Prior. Very busy with reports from the Police and other agents all the time. M called at the Zayanis.
Zayani's wife seemed entirely against the order saying that they didnt like the idea of anyone knowing how much people had
when they died. Had tea with Holmes and played Bridge, various people came and reported to me while I was there, Abdulla
bin Jabr came and told me about the deputation to The Shaikh.

Friday 12th Feb.

Expected to have some trouble in the bazaar so went down there early before breakfast and stayed there on and off till lunch
time. It was all quite quiet and by degrees most of the shops opened. There was one case in which a shop was attacked but we
caught the man and also two Persians who were going about telling people to shut their shops. The Jews were very nervous
and I couldnt get them to open. M went to the bank for Bridge. Planted my dahlia roots and some bulbs I got by post from
England. I hope they grow alright. Fahad al Bassam came to call after lunch, he rather irritated me as he took the anti Govt
side in this matter. Abdulla bin Jabr came in with a long message from the Shaikh asking if I advised him to go to Muharrak,
which I did. Agency for tennis tea and Bridge, I was so late that I didnt change. Startin, the captain of the Bideford was there
and one of his officers, he is a very nice fellow. Prior put on some very amusing but very risque gramaphone records that he
had lately got, rather like George Robey but more so. Danced after tea, the Skinners were there.

Saturday [13 February]

Opened the office again and had a court, Sulman came in, very angry and indignant about all this business. The bazaar
opened again and everything apparently as usual. The Agency tried three Persians for provoking trouble and they were
given three months each hard labour. A good example to our people. In the afternoon we went out to Sakhrir to see
the Shaikh taking Prior in the car. Had a long interview with him at which Sulman was present. Prior and I urged him