"ملف رقم 1/8 مركز الدراسات العربية - القدس" [و‎‎٧] (٧٠/١٣)

Persian Gulf Residency
Bnshire,
13 th i ? e brua ry, 1945
No. 212-3
From
The Hon'ble Bir Geoffrey Prior, K.G.I.E.,
Political Resident, Persian Gulf,
Bushire .
To
The Secretary to the Government of India
in the External Affairs Department,
New Delhi.
Jir
I have the honour to enclose for the information
of the Government of India a cony of.a note on the Centre
of Arab Gtudies in the Liddle East, together with its
Syllabus. It .will be seen that this is of a very
comorehensive nature, and rives some idea of the immense
diversity of interests which make up what we know as the
Arab world. I was a little doubtful at the outset lest
the Centre mirht not be organised on a ver’ practical basis,
and that the Services would be unwilling .to spare suitable
men as candidates. In this connection I enclose a note
by Major Hickinbotham, who like myself was somewhat critical
of the scheme at its outset, in which he mr.kes it clear
that the scheme has proved a groat success, and is filling
a very real need.
2. At the nresent moment our cadre is practical 1 y
bankrupt of officers of Arab experience and we have had
to make do with a very limited number who acquire such
knowledre as they can while doing a full day's work at their
political duties’. It is clear that in the future we shall
be completely outclassed unless we are prepared to rive
Gulf officers better training, and I therefore recommend
that the Government of India should permit major Hickinbotham
to proceed to Jerusalem before the commencement of his
leave and see whether he can induce one or two of these
young men to‘“throw in their lot with us on the completion
of their course. Mr. Bertram Thomas has been a good friend
of the Government of India and I am sure he would be
ore oared to helo us In this matter if his assistance were
sought. It is clear that unless very early action is taken
our cadre in the Gulf will collapse.
enclosures to His Majesty's iecretary of Gtate for India.
with reference to his endorsement No. C/1544 dated 31st October
I am sending a cony of this letter with its
Political Resident, Persian Gulf.
Your most obedient servant,
I have the honour to oe,
Gd/- Geoffrey Prior
Ik No. C/15 .
Co^y forwarded with compliments to
The Political Agent, Bahrain,
Office of the Political Resident
in the Persian Gulf,
Camp, Bahrain,
26th February, 1145.
1944.