'File 12/2 Treatment of Baharna in Persia' [‎146r] (291/440)

Il
at a disadvantaga from the language point of view when
appearing in local Courta, which difficulties they get over
ae beet they can - by the use of interpreters, for instance^
and in any case whatever inconvenience that Persian
Bahrainis might suffer in their appearances in the Bahrain
Courts is not a matter which need worry us* Moreover,
an increasing number of local Persians know sufficient
Arabic for practical purposes*
7* I agree, however, with Prior that there would
probably be disadvantages in handing over the Persian
subjects en bloc to the Shaikh, and even if we were to
threaten to do so, I do not think that it would achieve the
object at getting better treatment for Bahrainis in Persia*
In connection with Biscoe's proposal one must remember that
it is now generally agreed - vide correspondence ending with
India Offica lattar No.P..,.5811/34 of 5th October 1934 to tha
Foreign Office - that it would be a good thing to allow the
Persians in Bahrain to come gradually under the Shaikh’s
jurisdiction*
8* There is another measure of retaliations that
7 ?
suggested by Loch and referred to in paragraph 2 of your
letter* I discussed this with Loch and he is going to
examine the question further and 3* t me have his opinion*
Here again, however, I doubt whether the action suggested
would force the Persian Government to treat the Bahrainis anj
better, though the scheme inltself has, at any rate from the
Shaikh's point of vlsw, a good deal to recom end it*
9* The following general consideration has also to be
borne in mind* The best kind of retaliation from our poln
of view would be one which could be turned off and on at
will* That is to say the Persian Government would be indue
to become reasonable by the knowledge that when they ceased
their objectionable conduct we would likewise cease being
objectionable