Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎506r] (1016/1028)

CHAPTER IX.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE POLITICAL AGENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ,
BAHREIN FOR THE YEAR 1926.
Personnel .—Charge of the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. was held : —
From January 1st to September 13th by Major C. K. Daly, C.I.E.
From September 14th to December 31st by Major C. C. J. Barrett,
C.S.I., C.I.E.
1 he Ruler of Bahrein and A l Khalifah Family .—The attitude of
Shaikh Sir Isa bin Ali towards 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. is correct though not
friendly. He paid a call on me on my first arrival and I returned the call.
He called again on New Year's Day, when he was slightly more cordial than
on the first occasion.
Shaikh Sir Isa has now consented to receive the allowance made to him
from State funds.
His Excellency Shaikh Hamad’s relations with his father have shown
a distinct improvement, during the year. He relies very considerably on
his brother Shaikh Abdulla’s advice. The latter has been very helpful to
the administration during the three and half months I held charge of the
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . He is a man of considerable ability and it is a pity he is not more
trustworthy.
Some of the junior members of the A1 Khalifah have been employed in
appointments of lesser importance in the administration and it is hoped
that the members of this family who now draw allowances without giving
any return may, in the future, be employed in such posts as are found to be
suited to their somewhat limited education.
The relations of the Deputy Ruler himself with the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
have at all times been extremely friendly. He never hesitates to apply to
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. for advice in all matters of administration in which he
feels that he may need it. This advice is freely given when asked, but it
has been my consistent policy to make Shaikh Hamad stand on his own feet
instead of leaning heavily on 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. for support in all matters,
as has been his tendency in the past. I think the excellent instruction re
ceived from.Major Daly is bearing fruit and that in course of time Shaikh
Hamad may develop into a really capable Arab Ruler of an Arab State,
purged of the abuses, especially in relations to its Shiah subjects which dis
graced Bahrein in the past.
On the night of 13th October at 8 o’clock when His Excellency Shaikh
Hamad was driving in his car to visit his wife at Bada, four shots were
fired at him, but the would-be assassins missed their aim. A reward of
Rs. 8.000 was offered to anyone who would give reliable information which
would lead to the arrest of the culprit, but the offenders are still undetected.
Shaikh Mohamad bin Isa A1 Khalifah left for Bombay on 18th Nov
ember for treatment of his eyes one of which had a bad cattaract while
the other appeared to be affected.
Bahrein State. —Mr. C. D. Belgrave arrived from England via Basrah
on 31st March and took up the appointment of Adviser to the Bahrein State.
He has been unceasing in his efforts to improve the various departments of
the State under his supervision and as a result of the Deputy Ruler’s wil
lingness to take the advice offered a general improvement of the adminis
tration is noticeable.
Relations between the Sunni and Shiah inhabitants of the islands con
tinued to improve and about August the two hitherto irreconcilable sects
combined to oppose the introduction of certain reforms in the administra
tion of the Waqfs and Minor estates, which the Bahrein Government had
desired to effect. After consulting the Sunni and Shiah Qadhis Shaikh
Hamad decided that the time was not yet ripe for the introduction of the
reforms which, however beneficial in themselves were strongly opposed
by the public opinion of all his subjects.