File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [‎159r] (332/494)

no serious attack would materialize without it, whilst on the other hand inaction
on the part of the ship would lower our prestige with both our friends and our
enemies. The Officer Commanding in anticipation of this had obtained the concur
rence of the Senior Naval Officer and 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. to a limited bombardment
in support of the Sheikh’s force if it could not be avoided.
The matter was however complicated by the non-arrival of the Shargah force
and by a strong shamal getting up, and it seemed probable that the ship might have
to leave again without accomplishing anything if the arrival of the force was await
ed. As this would have had a very bad effect the Officer Commanding decided to
commence a limited bombardment without waiting for the Sheikh’s force and fire
was opened on watch towers and later on a dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. belonging jointly to Humaid and
his chief supporter. A black flag was then hoisted on shore in token of surrender
and H. M. S. “ Cyclamen ” immediately ceased fire.
Four of the leading inhabitants of the village came on board and made sub
mission and stated that Humaid and his principal supporters had fled the previous
night.
Even now there was a long delay before any soldiers arrived from Shargah, and
it was not until the 14th April that a force of 220 men arrived and took over
Hamriyah and the position was secure, and Abdur Rahman was again installed as
headman.
Humaid fled to Baraimi, but Sheikh Khalid informed the Resident when he
visited the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. at the beginning of May that he expected to be able to get
hold of him or make some arrangement with him after Ramazan. It is to be hoped
that he will be able to do so. The Resident impressed on him and Abdur Rahman
the great importance of holding Hamriyah in strength and giving no chance to the
Usurper to return.
Rams. —H.M.S. “ Cyclamen ” visited Dibba during the month and secured
Sheikh Saleh’s adherence to the agreement made at Rams at the end of February.
H.M.S. “ Cyclamen ” also visited Ras-el-Khaimeh and Sheikh Sultan came off
to the ship with Muhammad bin Saleh, the new head man of Rams. They both
stated the settlement was working well and seemed to be on very good terms.
Bahrain.
The 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. has had several meetings with Sheikhs Hamad and Abdulla
the sons of the Ruler. They appear anxious to effect reforms but it is obvious that
they are nervous of introducing reforms, which in order to ensure uniformity, and
satisfy the oppressed class, will make it necessary to exert some sort of the authority
over other members of A1 Khalifeh and the Sunni tribes. • For some years past the
Bahrain Government has been unable to collect from the Sunnis, perfectly legiti
mate taxes, to make up for which they have grossly oppressed the Shiahs. It is
now obvious to them that the lattter will no longer brook this treatment, and they
must either forego a good deal of the taxation which was wrongfully extorted from
the Shiahs, in which case their already difficult financial position will shortly become
impossible, or institute reforms and collect reasonable taxes from all alike. It is
doubtful whether they are in a position to do this unless it is made plain to the
Sunni tribes that their action is approved of by His Majesty’s Government in
which case they would doubtless accept the situation. In return for this a reason
ably just and efficient administration could presumably be insisted on.
It is believed that Sheikh Isa himself is now in pecuniary difficulties. He is
known to have borrowed a good deal privately and is believed to be in debt to the
Customs. He wastes a great deal of money in unnecessary and useless presents
to Bedouins from the mainland. It is estimated that not less than Rs. 6,000 per
mepsem goes in this way without any return. This is a relic of the times when by
making such payments the Rulers of Bahrain relied on such persons to flock to their
standard in case of attack by an enemy. Now* it is nothing but a system of preying
on an incapable and aged man.
Sheikh Abdulla is said to be in debt and Sheikh Hamad has informed the Politi
cal Agent personally that he is. There seems little doubt that unless they take
matters in hand, either the ruling family must go bankrupt, or continue to extort