'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎34v] (68/565)

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it were by general massacres of thousands of them, which he declares to be un
thinkable for him.
One can only gather that what he does want is some kind of big name and
style "King," " Sultan," " Rais " or what not to proclaim to the broad world his
greatness or superiority over all Arabs. Only one thing more would make Bin
Saud happy and contented, that is money, which he clearly lacks at present.
Enclosure IV to Serial No. 37.
t Confidential memorandum No. 257-C., dated Bahrein, the 15th-17th August 1920.
, From— Major H. R. P. Dickson , C .I.E., 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—The Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
Shaikh PTam^d bin Isa eldest son of l^uler of Bahrein, called upon me vester-
day with Shaikh Junu.a of Dabai. Both spoke very disparaginly of Bin Saud and
the Ikhwan.
Shaikh Hamad reported the latest madness (as he called it) of Bin Saud was
that he had issued strict orders to Bin Jaluwi, Emir of Hasa, that in future the Shiahs
of Hasa and Qatif were to be forbidden to hold religious readings (Qaraiyahs) in
their Hussainiyahs and that at Muharram all ceremonies in connexion with the
death of Husain were to be banned. " The order," said Shaikh Hamad, " had
created the greatest consternation and fury among Hasa and Qatif Shiahs.' , Unless
the order were rescinded, Shaikh Hamad thought rebellion was sure to follow
Certainly an appeal to Great Britain would be made by Shiahs. It was a similar
policy in Faisal's time that brought about Turkish intervention in Hasa, and now
Bin Saud was mad enough to try and imitate his grandfather's mistake.
Shaikh Jumaa spoke in a similar strain saying how alarmed the people of
Dabai were at Bin Saud's increasing power. Shaikh admitted that near Rasa!
Khaimah there existed a strong Wahhabi centre today. These were in direct
communication with Bin Saud, and were becoming a menace to the peace of the
Trucial coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. . ^
Shaikh Hamad further reported that a section of the Ajman had been bribed
by Shaikh Salim to leave ibn-Hidhlain's camp and go into Koweit territory See
my telegram No. 243-C., dated the 15th August 1920. The recalcitrant section
had emerged on 10th instant and raided a camp of the Manasir close to Qatif
returning in safety with many camels. '
2. A significant fact is that Shaikh Hamad until a short time was a hot sup
porter of Bm baud. Since Bin Shamlan from Koweit visited Bahrein Shaikh Hamad
has changed his politics. In this connection please see my No. 239-C. dated 12th
August 1920, paragraph 10,
I personally look upon the whole Qatif and Hasa story with suspicion At
the same time, undoubtely Shaikh Salim is intriguing deeply in these parts his
endeavours being to create an anti-hm Saud atmosphere in Bahrein. Monev
judiciouly spent m Qatif might easily result in an outbreak, for the Oatifi Shiih
is not particularly fond of the Bin Saud regime. In this connection also see
Koweit s telegram No. 68-C., dated the 28th July 1920 in which he reports likelv
trouble m Hasa. The report emanated from Shaikh Salim an looks as if it was a casV
of i he wish being father of the thought.
Apart from Shaikh Hamad and Shaikh Abdullah's reports, I have heard of no
such alleged orders of Bin Saud against the Shiahs complained of. Nor havp a™
local Shiahs mentioned it to m« here. ^
(3) Local rumour has it that Bin Shamlan presented £ 5,000 to Shaikh Isa
from Shaikh Salim. I do not credit the report. A more likely story is that the
money was sent to Qatif, while to Shaikh Isa came only the ordinary " Ladiah
as from mler to ruler.
Copy forwarded with compliments to
(1) Deputy 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. , Bushire.
(2) 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. , Koweit.
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