'File 8/16 Bahrain Intelligence Summaries' [‎7r] (13/330)

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23. Bnhr^in - Politi cnl and Bconomic • ^
(i) Shortage of food has led to demonstrations in a
number of villages, and signs of mcalnutrition are becoming
increasingly apparent among children of the scorer classes
of the community. The Bahraini's staple diet is fish, dates
and rice. Fish is still obtainable in Bahrain, but there
are no dates on the market and rice is expensive and strictly
rationed. Tne island's annual date crop is only sufficient
for four or five months' consumption, and, owing to export
restrictions in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain's usual external
sources of supply have been denied to her. Information has
been received, however 4 that with effect from January 27th the
Iraq Government have lifted their embargo on the export of
dates to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and it should now be possible for
Bahrain to obtain at least a portion of its requirements of
dates. In regard to rice the outlook is black in the extreme.
Bahrain has stocks of flee sufficient only for & few weeks,
and the news that India is uncable to export any more rice to
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. has coMe as a stunning blow to everyone.
Unless the British Government are able to bring supplies of
rice or other cereals to Bahrain in the near future the
population must starve.
(ii) Stocks of sugar are running low and it has not been
possible to obtain fresh supplies from India. An enterprising
local merchant (Dhamanmal Isardas) is trying to obtain a ship
ment of sugar from Mozambique, but it is feared that exchange
control restrictions will render his efforts abortive.
24. Treq ,
1
The nev/s that Iraq had declared v/ar on the Axis
powers was cordially received in Bahrain, where it was taken,
somewhat cynically perhaps, as evidence that Iraqis now regard
ed their country as free from danger of invasion. It cannot
oe said, however, that Iraq's declaration of war has had any
considerable effect on local opinion, which looks for a lead
to Ibn Saud rather than to Iraq or any other Arab country.
2- r . Saudi Arabia .
Information has been received that the use of Indian
currency notes on the mainland has been prohibited, and that
they may no longer, even at a discount, be tendered in payment
for goods.
26, Currency .
The flow of Indian currency notes from Bahrain to
Kuwait has been so continuous, and so great in volume, that
it has become necessary to control it. In future Indian
currency notes may not be exported from Bahrain to the value
of more than Rs. 1000 at any one time without a special oer-
mit. Permits will, of course, always be granted where the
export of notes is required to finance any bona fide trade
transaction.
2V. Petroleum Concessions Ltd .
The Company is having an argument with the Shaikh
of Abu Dhabi about the interpretation of a clause in the
Oil Agreement which is capable of being recad in two ways.
The Shaikh claims that ne is entitled to payment of a sum of
Rs. 1,25,000 in January 1943 while the Company admit his
right to Rs. 1,00,000 only. The argument has been conducted
without acerbity on either side.
28. Bahrain Petroleum Company Ltd .
Reference para 255 of Intelligence Summary No.22
of 1942 in which it was reported that the services of Dr.
/ Dhnni