Page 203 - Records of Bahrain (4) (i)_Neat

Reaction to the reforms, 1923 191

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(4) Land Rovonuo.—Tho levy of this may bo deferred until tho roforms
have boon in forco for somo years and the administration improved, when
more rovonuo will bo required. I have entered it in this place as it goes
with tho record of rights and the officer deputed to make this can make
recommendations as to what forms of land revenue should oventually be
taken.
'Meanwhilo an incrcaso of the duty to GJ per cent, may, if Government
approve, bo sanctioned.
(5) Reform of the Pearling industry—This is also urgently necessary
and somo slight improvements must if possible be made before next April
to como into forco next pearling season.
(0) Institution of a Judicial System and Code of Laws.—This is desir­
able out not very urgent.
This report has, I fear, grown to inordinate dimensions, but I thought
it advisable to lay a full statement of the matter before Government in order
to obtain their approval to the proponed reforms in principle, on the receipt
of which I will, when necessary, submit detailed proposals. In order to
got as much of tho reforms as possible introduced during this cold weather,
I should be glad if the Government of India would be pleased to notify their
approval or otherwise, of tho various measures proposed, by telegram. The
principal objection to my proposals is, I am aware, that they suggest tho
appointment of three British officers, one ns Director of Customs, one as
Officer Commanding Levy Corps and another as tutor to Shaikh Hamad’s
sons. But I see no alternative; no upright, public spirited, educated men,
so far as I am aware, exist in Bahrain. I have always stated that the
great difficulty in introducing reforms into Bahrain is that there is no one
oithor in the ruling family or among the notables capable of carrying them
out. I therefore am of opinion that if we do not appoint British officials
to supervise the reforms they can never be successfully introduced.
Copies of this despatch arc being forwarded to His Majesty’s Secretary
of Stato for the Colonies and to His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, for in­
formation.

List of Enclosuues.
Enclosure 1.—Letter dated lct November 1023, from Lt.-Col. A. P.
Trevor, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to Shaikh
Sir Isa bin Ali al Khalifa of Bahrain.
Enclosure 2.—Petition to the Political Resident left on board R. I.
M. S. " Lawrence ” after the Political Resident had gone ashore
Enclosure 3.—Answer to signatories of petition forming enclosure 2,
read out to petitioners in Arabic in the presence of Shaikhs Hamad and
Abdulla and of the Political Agent.

Enclosure 1.

Translation of a letter, dated Bahrain, 1st November 1923, from Lieut.-Col.
A. P. Trevor, C.S-I.. C.I.E., Political Resident in tho Persian Gulf,
to Shaikh Sir Isa bin A li al Khalifa of Bahrain.
'A ft or compliments.
I understand that Your Excellency was represented this morning by
the visit of your son Shaikh Hamad who duly delivered your respects.'
I learn from tho Political Agent that Your Excellency has sent a
yorbal message to tho clTcct that you will come to see mo tomorrow. If,
my friend, you aro in good hoalth and it ia your intontion to pay mo a
formal visit ns an expression of friendship, then I think you might have
paid your visit to-day, in tho ship, as ban always beon customary. If,
however, your visit is with tho object of making furthor complaints,
I must inform Your Excellency that you have already had