'Shaikh Ali bin Ahmad' [‎118r] (235/630)

^ Dated Bushire, the 19th (received 27tli) August 1906.
From—M ajor P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—H. R.C. Dobbs, Esq., Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign
Department.
The Foreign Department will perhaps be receiving more petitions from
Sheikh Ali or expecting to hear something from me respecting him, so I write to
report progress.
I had a long talk with him while passing through Bombay on my return
from Simla.
He was outwardly very submissive in his tone but very pressing in his
.prayers to be allowed to return to Bahrein. Asked if he preferred to receive a
monthly allowance through an Agent and to be allowed to go anywhere else he
pleased, the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. excepted, he replied in the negative saying that if he
had to be anywhere away from Bahrein and his family, Bombay, would suit him as
well as any place would. Asked if, supposing he were allowed to return to
Bahrein before the expiry of his term of exile, he would be prepared to do so
under certain very clear written conditions, he replied, " What was the use of his
subscribing to conditions when Government were in a position to impose any
terms that they pleased upon him. "
I enquired into his allowances and am clearly of opinion that they are un"
riecessarily large, but under the circumstances I fear any curtailment of them
now would only give him a fresh cause for worrying the Bombay authorities and
the Government of India with his importunities, and I do not feel justified in
recommending it, in view of the possibility of his soon being allowed to return.
Sheikh Ali frankly admitted that there was no love lost between him and
his uncle and that in view of their past ancestral relations, feelings of sincere
good will could never exist between them, but that he was ready to be guided by
our wishes in all things.
The man is an unpleasant and troublesome character, and I only take his
protestations for what they are worth, but he has probably been taught a suffi
cient lesson, and before leaving Bombay I came to the conclusion that instead of
cutting down his allowances, it might be more convenient, if his wings could be
first sufficiently clipped, to allow him to return to Bahrein. I talked the matter
over with the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. on our return journey and in the result asked him
to discuss the question with the Sheikh on his return, and see if any satisfactory
scheme could be outlined allowing for Sheikh Ali's return, on a basis, of (i) the
previous sale of all his property, in Manama ; (ii) a stipulation that he should
never be allowed to live in Manama but somewhere in the interior of the island
or on the other island of Muharrag ; and finally (ill) a guarantee by the Sheikh
for his good behaviour.
The accompanying letters will show you what has since transpired. As
soon as I can lay any definite proposal before Government I will do so officially,
and merely send this to let you know what is going on.
Captain Prideaux addressed me demi-officially, but as far as I am concerned
there is no reason why these papers should not come on the record.
*******
No. 326, dated the 28th July 1906.
From— Captain F. B. Prideaux, I. A., Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrein,
To— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
When I saw the Chief yesterday he suddenly made a reference to Sheikh
Ali's petitions to Government, and asked whether any answer had yet been
given to them.