'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the Year 1938' [‎5v] (10/60)

( iv )
Shaikh now refused to accept. To anticipate events, early in 1939, after a
further outbreak instigated by Iraqi propaganda, the Shaikh annulled the
Constitution and instituted a nominated Advisory Council on the lines His
Majesty's Government had advised him to set up nearly a year before. This
development can be considered the satisfactory outcome of a troubled year
for Kuwait.
The market price of pearls continued to be low.
Bahrain. —In regard to the Zubara dispute between the Shaikhs of
Bahrain and Qatar, account of which was given in last year's Review, the
prohibitory measures by the Bahrain Government against Qatar continued
in force at the end of 1938.
In September an outbreak of agitation occurred in Bahrain amongst the
youno-er educated class, who have formed a Youth Movement, and amongst
the Bahraini employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company. The demand
of the former was for a more democratic form of government, including the
formation of an elected Council and the reform of the Law Courts. The
demand of the latter was for better labour conditions. There were some
rowdy demonstrations which the Bahrain police had to suppress, without
however any casualties on either side. The Shaikh refused to set up a Council
but the reform of the Law Courts is under way, and at the request of the
Shaikh His Majesty' Government are arranging for two legal experts from
Egypt or the Sudan to visit Bahrain and advise on what shape the reforms
should take. The pay of Bahraini labour in the Bahrain Oil Company has
been raised, and a representative of the Bahrain Government has been
appointed to act as Liaison Officer between the Company and their Bahraim
employees.
In January the Shaikh left for Jedda via Bombay to make the Haj, and
returned in March. In the hot weather he fell seriously ill and visited Kashmir
for a change. In his absences the State was administered by a Council of
Regency comprised of the Shaikh's brother, Abdulla, his son, Salman, and the
Adviser, Mr. Belgrave.
The pearl season showed a decline in prices and in catch.
Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. .—The subject of Trucial Coast—Saudi Frontiers was
under consideration during the year but no settlement was reached.
In October a popular agitation started in Dibai for a more democratic
form of government in the shape of an elected Executive Council. r ihe
Shaikh of Dibai was given the same advice as was given to the Shaikh of
Kuwait, i.e., that it would be wise for him to associate his people with himself
in his administration by instituting a nominated Advisory Council. This
advice, as in the case of the Shaikh of Kuwait, was not taken. The opposi
tion party by a show of force then made themselves masters of the situation.
There was some confusion in the Town and the Senior Naval Officer, Persian
Gulf Division, was asked to send a sloop to Dibai to protect British lives and
property The sloop stayed at Dibai some days and had a steadying effect
on the situation. Finally an elected Executive Council came into being which
took much of his power away from the Shaikh. The same warning as to the
control of His Majesty's Government over foreign affairs was given to the
Council as was given to that at Kuwait, and was accepted without demur.
To anticipate the events of early 1939, the Shaikh, with the assistance of his
Bedouin followers, succeeded after some fighting of a not very serious nature
in dissolving the Council, and a nominated Advisory Council is now m
existence.
Early in the year under review information was received that an Iranian
and a Kuwaiti trading in Dibai were indulging in the smuggling of arms. The
consignments were small but it was considered advisable to i equest the Shaikh
of Dibai to deport them, which he did.
The pearl industry showed a decrease in prices and catch.
Muscat. —His Highness the Sultan visited London in March as the guest
of His Majesty's Government, and was invested with the K.C.I.E. by His
Majesty. His Highness's visit was most successful. He was much gratified
by his reception and made a very favourable impression on all whom he met.