'File 12/2 Treatment of Baharna in Persia' [‎47r] (93/440)

No. 2/29/139
British vi c e-Consulate #
Mohammerah.
February 12th, 1934.
Sir,
In continuation of my despatch No. 2/29/106 dated the 3rd
February 1934, I havet he honour to report that several
Bahrainis have againcome to me to say that after leaving them
a;pcie for about a wee* the Governor of Gushah has again commenced
to harass them. In addition these men report that there are
two clerks from the Persian Census Department who, assisted by
Ambieh Guards, arc forcibly taking their th.mb prints on
declarations of Persian Nationality, and issuing them with
“Bijils” accordingly. Several men who have resisted have been Jcaa
beaten. One of the men who appeared before me showed me marks
on his chest which he stated were the results of blows from the
Amnieh Guards • They assert that they have been warned if they
come to me again, their houses will be bufcnt down.
2 . 1 have informed these men who <ame here that I have
reported the whole matter, and that, pending its settlement
if they are harassed any more thay k must take Sijils to protect
themselves, but to do so only as a last resort. I pointed out tkxi
that provided they have registered themselves in Bahrain, the fact
ol taking Persian Sihils now under pressure should not prejudice
their **mi claim to Bahrain nationality when the whole queetion ^
is settled, moreover that with a Soj il there is nothing to
prevent their going to Bahrain should they wish to do so, and
once in Bahrain they could throw away their Sijilis a d be
Bahrainis. I stressed the point that as Bahrainis they could
not hold landed property in fereia, so that they must weigh
up the case forthemselves, ana decide whether their property and
Ihie in Persia are worth becoming a Persian subject for, er
whether they could afford to 6 ive up everu thing to be Bahrainis.
?). I was very careful to say that the forgoing was my own
idea on the subject and no one else's and that no guars nteewent
;f Uh u * U was 8 lm P 1 y present t:.ey were receiving ill