"تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للأعوام ١٩١٥-١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎١‎٨‎٥] (٣٩٦/٣٧٧)

62 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY.
place which was followed by Shaikh Abdullah raising the four points put
forward in London, and asking Tolitical Agent's advice as to the reasons why
an answer had not been received. During this convej^aticn, Shaikh Abdullah
disclosed the fact that Shaikh Isa was not particularly anxious for an answer,
his only anxiety being lest Government were annoyed at his putting forward,
petitions which he now knew he should not have done. The interview
terminated by Shaik Abdullah accepting the Political Agent's view that the
ruling in the Order-ic-Council part I, paragraph 4, should be carried out until
a definite ruling came from the Government.
(Note. —On 23rd January 1920, Shaikh lea finally consented to the election of half the
members of the Majlis-al-UrH by the Political Agent and the other half by himself, on which
date Majlis was duly appointed, mem hers selected and work has been carried on since.)
(d) The Bahrain Order-in-Council was brought into force from noon of
February 3rd, 1919. Shaikh Isa was brought round with difficulty to accept
all the terms mentioned therein.
{e) As mentioned above, Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa and his son Muhammad
proceeded to England on June 6th as the guest of His Majesty's Government.
Shaikh Abdullah throughly enjoyed the trip and realised the greatness and '
magnific/ence of the Capital of the British Empire. It is doubiful, however,
whether his visit has not done more harm than good. He saw much of an
unhealthy and demoralising nature, especially in Paris, and has come back
with many wild Political ideas which he had not got before. Shaikh Abdullah
returned from England on October 27th. At the suggestion of '• al Malika "
Shaikh Abdullah's mother and only living wife of Shaikh Isa, all the houses
and huts of Bahrain were dressed with red and green flags for 6 days in h s
honour.
III. Victoria Memorial Hospital. —Assistant Surgeon G. K. Monani was
in charge throughout the period. The number of cates treated as compared
with the two previous years, are as follows :—
Ye^r. IndoorB. Outdoors. Total.
1917 ... . . 34 6,035 6,069
1918 30 5,870 5,900
5919 55 5.72S 5,778
IV. The Political Agent's Tours. —On 26th December 1919, the Political
Agent, Major Dickson, C.I.E., made an exhaustive tour of the Island with the
special view of enquiring into the state of the Islanders and the famine condi
tions brought about by the scarcity of rice; Much was learnt as a result of
the tour, and the starving condition of the many villagers scattered over the
Island was amply verified. Hepresentations w^ere made to the Deputy Political
Resident for an increase in the Bahrain allotment for 19-O (rice). It is to be
hoped Government of India will see its way to removing the restrictions on the
export of rice from India at an early date. ^ One realises Government's mea
sures are the result of necessity, but it is difficult to persuade a starving man
that Government has other people to think of besides himself.
V. Bin Saud : ~{a) During the early and middle part of 1919 relations
between Bin Saud and the Shareef Hussain were very strained. Matters came
to a head in the vicinity of Khurma and Tarabah, w r hich places were attacked
and occupied by the Amir Ali the Shareef's son, but were as promptly recap
tured by tlie forces of Bin Saud with the destruction of the entire forces of
All. Bin Saud was ordered by the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, to return to
Kiyaah at once on pain of having his subsidy stopped. He promptly complied
and explained the whole situation in a serious^ of lengthy reports. His ex
planation was accepted by His Majesty's Government and matters have been
temporarily settled. In the meantime, the trouble between Bin Saud and the
Shareef is engaging the careful attention of his Majesty's Government. Un
less a modus vivendi acceptable to both parties is found before the Haj season,
fighting will break out again.
(6) Shaikh |aisal bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud, son of the Ruler of Is T ajd,
arri\ ed in Bahrain on August 17th and proceeded to England on August 30th,