File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [‎222v] (459/494)

H. M. S. “ Triad ” when invited to do so by the Senior Naval Officer, who was
acting as mediator in an important case, in which Shaikh Humaid was the principal
protagonist, and instead referred-the case to Bin S’and, which is a most objection
able procedure.
On arrival at Ajman the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent was sent ashore to request the ShaikT*^,
to come off and see the Resident. Shaikh Humaid turned up at about 3-15 pm.
but he assumed a most truculent and defiant attitude, in fact during the Resident’s
17 years’ experience in these parts he had not encountered a Khan or Shaikh who
adopted so defiant and insolent manner. The Sh ikh would not listen to reason,
and it was finally decided to impose a fine of Rs. 1,000 on him. The Shaikh was
most defiant and practically asked what would happen if he did not pay by 6 p.m.
He was informed that two of his watch towers would be destroyed, and he left the
ship telling the Arabic Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. that it would be the worse for us if his towers were
demolished.
By 6 o’clock there was no sign of any boat putting off from shore so H. M. S.
“ Cyclamen ’ opened fire on the watch towers completely domolishing one and
destroying half the other. At about 9 o’clock the Shaikh sent off an emissary say
ing that he was obedient to the orders of Government but did not send off the
Rs. 1,000 which was however forthcoming by 11 p.m.
Bahrain.
The Hon’ble the 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. arrived in H. M. S. “ Cyclamen ” on the
5th May leaving for Qatar the same day. 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. accompanied by the
Indian Assistant went on board to meet him. Colonel Trevor then landed and saw
some of the leading merchants, and was visited by His Excellency Shaikh Sir Isa,
whose visit he retuned on the same day.
Shaikh Abdulla bin Hassan al Dosari d^d somewhat unexpectedly on the 23rd
after a short illness. His son Ahmad bin Abdulla has been appointed as the head
man of Al Dosari. Shaikh Abdulla bin Hassan was deservedly very popular.
Dr. Harrison of the Arabian Mission left for Debai on the 13th May.
Kuwait.
The Senior Naval Officer, accompanied by 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. called on His
Excellency the Shaikh on the 16th May.
Shaikh Ahmad has received information from Nejd that Hail is still beseiged
by Bin Sa’ud’s forces, and that Dhaim bin Tawalah has been killed in recent fight
ing.
There has been a rather serious quarrel between Abdullah and the rest of the
Al Subah family. Since Shaikh Ahmad’s return and recognition as Shaikh he has
been “ assisting ” and got a good deal of power into his own hands which Shnkh
Ahmad with his easy-going nature allowed. Finally, Abdullah drew up a scale of
salaries for the whole family and allotted himself nearly as much as Ahmad, and a
great deal more than Hamad or any of the others. This resulted in a stormy scene
between Abdullah and the rest of the family at which Jabir as Subah did some very
plain speaking, and since then Abdullah has not appeared in public at all. He is
nevertheless actively intriguing against Ahmad and endeavouring to discredit
him in every wray possible, chiefly through the instrumentality of one Abdul Aziz
as Salim, who has acquired a big say in things under Shaikh Ahmad’s regime.
It is feared that this quarrel may lead to serious trouble later on unless Shaikh
Ahmad adopts a much stronger attitude than he is doing at present.
Bushire, 1 A. P. TREVOR, Lieut.-Colonel,
The 17th June 1921. 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. -
G. M. Press, Simla.—No. C219FD—7-7-21—18—M.D.