Coll 30/114 'Proceedings of H.M. Ships.' [‎206r] (411/1203)

?*r
I considerable sentimental value to the Khalifah family as it
was from there that they came over and took Bahrain Island,
Prom that point of view it may be regarded as their native
heath.
All the Bahrain pearling dhows were recalled in case
of trouble, but now all is quiet they will be sent back to the
banks. They have utilised this period to refit and restore,
which is normally carried out once during the diving season.
No further trouble is anticipated and there were no
disturbances in Bahrain.
(8.N.O.P.G.)
Kuwait .
5. Pearl Market . The price of pearls is again
descending7~ Just before the Coronation the demand raised the
price by 40$ and took all the reserve of pearls out of Kuwait,
as well as increasing the number of vessels which went out
this season. The leading merchants are pessimistic about the
prices that they will obtain in October. Looking forward,
however, to 1938 they hope that the Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). will have a good
effect on the market in that year.
(Kuwait Int. Report)
Iraq .
6. Munitions Scandal . With reference to paragraph 6
of the May Intelligence Report, it now appears that the
Premier was rather hasty in recalling Amir Zaid, as when the
Counsellor to the Legation in Berlin was arraigned before the
Court in Baghdad there was no acceptable evidence forthcoming
and he was released on bail. Amir Zaid has since been
exonerated and is being allowed to return to Berlin.
(R.A.F. Int. Report)
7. Iran - Iraq Frontier Negotiations . With reference
to paragraph 7 of May Intelligence Report, according to
statements in the Press this Treaty has now been signed. No
copy of the Treaty has so far been received, but it is
reported that the Iranians accepted the final amendments
proposed by Iraq. (S.N.O.P.O.)
6. Re-armarnent . With reference to paragraph 8 of the
May Intelligence Report, Mohammed All Jowad has been offered a
number of Caproni Bomber Transport Aircraft by the Italians foi
immediate delivery and at a low cost. As the Iraq Air Force
has an insufficient number of trained mechanics to maintain
even the aircraft at present on charge, it seems somewhat
lacking in common sense to contemplate the acquisition of a
new type. (R.A.F. Int. Report)
9. Middle Euphrates Disturbances . These have been less
serious than in former years and have only amounted to attacks
on police posts, though the railway line had to be strongly
picketed to keep down snipers, and trains had to pass through
the Diwaniyah - Nasiriyah stretch in daylight. The Government
took immediate action arresting the three leading sheikhs and
locking them up in Northern Iraq. The Prime Minister
resisted Bekr Sidqi's suggestion that they should be executed
out of hand.
7 ; y' I
The Military Operations have been confined v t6 a few
small skirmishes and a certain amount of bombing of the
villages. \ > IT
\ V\ ;
These measures have had a salutary effect, but at the
same time secure conditions have not yet been restored; the
railway remains heavily guarded and neither the military nor
the police can move freely at any distance from theii* bases on
the railway without the risk of becoming involved in ^ fight.
(R.A.F. Int. Report) \
* Iran