Page 95 - The Arabian Gulf States_Neat

RELATIONS WITH BAHRAIN 33
Finally, in Article 4 the Shaikh promised to allow British subjects
to ‘reside in, and carry on their lawful trade in the territories of
Bahrein, their goods being subject only to an ad valorem duty of 5
per cent, in cash or in kind’.
He also agreed to treat the British subjects and dependents residing
in Bahrain as ‘subjects and dependents of the most favoured people’.
This article further conferred upon the British Government an extra­
territorial jurisdiction to be exercised in respect of British subjects
only. The British Resident, for his part, agreed to
use his good offices for the welfare of the subjects of Bahrein in the ports of
the maritime Arab tribes of the Gulf in alliance with the British Govern­
ment.
Rivalries among the ruling family of Bahrain on the one hand, and
between them and the other local Shaikhs of the Gulf, on the other,
continued during this period. This caused the British Government to
take military and diplomatic measures designed to bring tranquillity
to the Gulf and to prevent any potential conflict with Turkey and
Persia, both of which appeared to be working behind the scene of
tribal quarrels in attempts to establish their influence in the Island.1
When in 1867, the Shaikh of Bahrain, Muhammad Al-Khalifah, pre­
pared an attack against Qatar and asked for military help from Persia,
the British Government’s action was two-fold. First, it prevented
Persian intervention in Bahrain. Secondly, it frustrated the Shaikh’s
military action against Qatar—an action which the British Govern­
ment held to be contrary to the Agreement of 1861. Finally, after a
British military action against the Shaikh and his supporters in
Bahrain, the British Government denounced him as a ‘pirate’ and
deposed him as a punishment for his violation of the Convention of
1861. Thereafter, the rulership of the island was taken over, with the
agreement of members of the Al-Khalifah family, by Shaikh fAIi, a
brother of the deposed Shaikh.2 However, Shaikh fAli was killed a
1 Aitchison, pp. 193-4; Lorimcr, pp. 836 et seq.
Tt should be noted that Persia and Ottoman Turkey continuously advanced
claims to sovereignty over Bahrain. These claims were vigorously resisted by the
British Government.
There is little doubt that both Turkey and Persia were encouraged by the friendly
attitude of the Ruler of Bahrain during this time, Shaikh Muhammad, to press
their claims to the island. It appears that the Ruler invited in 1859. and in the years
following, the protection of these states simultaneously. See for a further explana­
tion of these events, Lorimer, pp. 888-90.
2 Aitchison, pp. 193-4. For a discussion of British policy towards these events,
see Lorimcr, pp. 888, et seq.
The British Government regarded the policy of Shaikh Muhammad, who con­
tinuously and in face of British objections solicited aid and assistance from both
Persia and Turkey as a great menace to its position in the Gulf. ‘No form of
words ... or signature could bind the crafty old fox . ..’ says Lord Curzon about