Page 147 - Records of Bahrain (4) (i)_Neat

Reaction to the reforms, 1923 135

by executive authority that hie object will be achieved. He '*!
should always strive to avoid arousing and embittering
religious bikbpb susceptibilities and gradually permit
legislation and taxation to produce their ultimate effect
before those interested can realise exactly what the effect
will be.
i have,etc • i
Sd/- 3.G.Knox, Lt. Col.,
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.

ifidential
ho. 132^1/11. C. The Agency, Bahrain,
Persian Gulf.
30/9/33,
Prom
Major C.K.Daly,
Political Agent, Bahrain,
To
C.I.E.,
The Hon'ule Lieut.col. S.G.Knox, C.S.I • i
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
3ir,
1 have tne honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter
N0.537-S of 24th September. On receipt of your No.462-S of
25th August, I discussed the matter fully witn shaiktf Hamad.

We endeavoured to select suitable persons with a view to an
enquiry being made. After much consideration we reluctantly
came to the conclusion, that we could not hope to find even
half a dozen respectable persons who would give an unbiased
opinion. The enmity between Sunnis and Shiahs is so
pronounced in Bahrain that it may be taken as certain that
sunnis would give a finding favourable to the Sunnis concerned
in the crime and Shiahs the reverse, quite without regard |bo
the facts of the case. In the first place the number of
persons of any ability to serve on a 'Jirga* is extremely
limited. Many persons who should have 6ome public spirit like
Khan Sahib