'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎173v] (351/386)

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No. 85 (External), dated Simla, the 21st April ]904>.
From—The Government of ludiainthe Foreign Department,
To— The Right Hon’ble St. John Brodrick, His Majesty’s Secretary of State for
India.
We have the honour to address you regarding the affairs of Bahrein and
the arrangements for British representation at Manama. The situation is
peculiar. The protection of the British Government has converted the island
from a scene of chronic external aggression and intestine feud into a peaceful
and flourishing centre of industry and commerce. We have not only secured
the stability of the present Chief’s rule, hut, at the Sheikh’s entreaty and with
the approval of His Majesty’s Government, we have recognised his son, Homed,
as his heir, and^ have thus practically guaranteed the succession on Sheikh
Isa’s death. Yet we have never declared a formal protectorate ; we have
demanded no tribute ; and we have abstained from interference in domestic
affairs, except at the Sheikh’s request. Secure in the gratuitous enjoyment
of the benefits thus conferred upon him, the Sheikh has forgotten the past
vicissitudes ot the Khalifa family and the exactions and the loss of indepen
dence to which his ancestors submitted at the hands of the Wahabi House and
of the Imam of Maskat dmiug the period immediately preceding our interven
tion : while our moderation seems to have induced the belief in the Chief’s mind
that his relations with the British Government are of a kind that involve no
corresponding obligations on his own part.
2. The incorrectness of the Sheikh’s attitude has been conspicuously
noticeable in connection vith the question of his Customs revenues. His
Majesty s Government are aware of the existing system whereby the Customs
are farmed to British Indian Banias, and of the inadequacy of the income
which is obtained under this arrangement. So far back as 1898, our Political
Resident m the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. broached the subject with the Chief, who rave
Colonel Meade to understand that he would not renew the lease which had
then about fourteen months to run, without first communicating with the
Resident Later in the same year, in pursuance of a proposal approved by
• G Meade visited Bahrein with the object of inducing
the Sheikh to icceive a qualified officer to manage his Customs. Despite the
pi evious understanding, however, the lease had in the meanwhile been extended
for a further period of two years; and no action was taken beyond an expres-
H by i C f 0 0 fi el ^ e l d i e ^ hl ? dlsa PP roval of the Sheikh’s bad faith. Three
months later the Sheikh, though still indisposed to revise his Customs arrange
ments, again promised not to enter into any fresh agreement on the expiry of
le existing contract m April 1 ( J02, without first informing the Resident But
m January 1900 Colonel Meade reported that the Sheikh had again departed
10 m his engagements, and had prolonged the lease for a fresh term of two
jears, without previous intimation. A remonstrance was made ; and the Chief
expressed regret; but nevertheless, when in 1901, at the instance of Sir Nicolas
O Conor, it was again suggested that he should employ a British subject to
supervise his Customs, he once more declined to accede to the wishes^ of His
Majesty s Government. In November of the same year, the Sheikh appeared
o become more amenable, and declared his intention of assuming the^irect
management of Ins Customs on the expiry of the lease then current Wi^n
a foi tmght, however, he had renewed the contract for a further period of two
Gul'f TTk°T'xcollTo 30 ?] 0 " v aS taken v ntil ’ durin S his recent tour in the Persian
, A 11 ® Excellency the A iceroy spoke seriously about tlje matter to the Chief,
and pointed out to him the necessity of a change in the existing arrangements
Ihe Sheikh asked lor time to consider the matter with his brother and sons •’
and the Resident was accordingly instructed to report further after renewed
consultation with the Sheikh. In his letter of the 18th February 1901, of which
we enclose a copy, Colonel Kemball has recounted the failure of his further
^•er whh h^' r 8 6 ^'’ l8a ’ W l‘° decIine ° to revise the arrangements
uuuer which his revenues are at present collected.