'File 19/118 (C 7) Bahrain' [‎57r] (126/215)

No. 85 of 1904.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.,
FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.
EXTERNAL.
To
The Right Hok'ble St. JOHN BRODEICK,
Mis Majesty's Secretary of State for India.
S imla, the 21st April 1904.
S ir,
We have the honour to address you regarding the affairs of Bahrein
and the arrangements for British representation at Manama. The situation is
peculiar. The protection of the British Government has converted the island
trom a scene of chronic external aggression and intestine feud into a peaceful
and flourishing centre of industry and commerce. We have not only secured
the stability of the present Chief's rule, hut, at the Sheikh's entreaty and
with the approval of His Majesty's Government, we have recognised his son,
Ilamed, as^his heir, and have thus practically guaranteed the succession on
Sheikh Isa's death. Yet we have never declared a formal protectorate; we
have demanded no tribute; and we have abstained from interference in
domestic affairs, except at the Sheikh's request. Secure in the gratuitous
enjoyment of the benefits thus conferred upon him, the Sheikh has^for^otten
the past vicissitudes of the Khalifa family and the exactions and the loss of
independence to which his ancestors submitted at the hands of the Wahahi
House and of the Imam of Maskat^ during the period immediately precedina*
our intervention ; while our moderation seems to have induced the belief in
the Chief's mind that his relations with the British Government are of a kind
that involve no corresponding obligations on his own part.
. The incorrectness of the Sheikh's attitude has been consj)icuously
noticeable in connection with the question of his Customs revenues. His
Majesty's Government are aware of the existing system whereby the Customs
are farmed to Britisli Indian Banias, and of the inadequacy of the income
which is obtained undpr this arrangement. So far back as 1898, our Political
llesident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. broached the subject with the Chief, who
gave Colonel Meade to understand that he would not renew the Jease
which had then about fourteen months to run, without first communicatino-
with the Resident. Later in the same year, in pursuance of a proposal
approved by your predecessor. Colonel Meade visited Bahrein with the object
of inducing the Sheikh to receive a qualified officer to manage his Customs.
Despite the previous understanding, however, the lease had in the meanwhile'
been extended for a further period of two years; and no action was taken
beyond an expression by Colonel Meade of his disapproval of the Sheikh's
bad faith, ihree months later the Sheikh, though still indisposed to revise his
Customs arrangements, again promised not to enter into any fresh agreement
on the expiry of the existing contract in April 1902, without first informing-
the Resident. But in January 1900 Colonel Meade reported that the Sheikh
had again departed from his engagements, and had prolonged the lease
tor a fresh term of two years, without previous intimation. A remons
trance was made; and the Chief expressed regret; but nevertheless, when in