مجموعة ٢٨ /٦٧ "بلاد فارس: تقارير سنوية، ١٩٣٢-" [و‎‎٢‎٣‎١] (٦٤٤/٤٦١)

7
travel papers. It was explained that the application of this Regulation had in
practice been restricted to indigents with whom Bahrein had been flooded.
One hundred and forty-four Iranians had been tried, and of these 104 had been
deported. Five foreigners of other than Iranian nationality had also been
deported. The Political Agent at Bahrein categorically denied the allegation
of harsh treatment. The above information was duly communicated to the
Iranian Government, who were assured that the expulsions had been concluded
unless the number of indigents were to increase again.
28. No further expulsions were reported, and the Iranian Government let
the matter drop. The question was not given any publicity in the vernacular
press. One interesting feature of the episode was that it marked a change in
the attitude hitherto' adopted by the Iranian Government towards Bahrein.
Though they were careful to maintain orally Iran’s claim to sovereignty, and
though their approach only amounted to enlisting the good offices of His Majesty’s
Government in the United Kingdom, the fact that diplomatic action was taken
amounted in practice to a de facto admission of His Majesty’s Government’s
position in Bahrein.
29. Another oral complaint concerning Bahrein was to the effect that the
children born in Bahrein of persons whom the Bahrein authorities recognised
as Iranians were not being allowed to attend the Iranian schools there. After
enquiries had been made, it was explained that such a grievance did not exist,
since while it was true that boys regarded as Bahreini nationals were not allowed
to attend foreign schools, Iranian parents could easily get round the rule, as
they were specifically entitled to register their sons as Iranians within two
years of their birth.
Bahrein, Sovereignty.
30. At the end of December 1937 the Iranian Government had addressed a
note to His Majesty’s Minister protesting against the Bahrein Property Law, as / //
an infringement of Iran’s sovereign rights. In February 1938 the Iranian repre-
sentative at Geneva communicated a copy of this note to the Secretary-General
to the League of Nations, with the request that it should be passed on to States
members of the League. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom,
commenting on this communication in a note to the League, also for circulation
to members, explained that they had nothing to add to the statement on this
subject contained in a note addressed by His Majesty’s Minister to the Iranian
Government on the 9th September, 1937, a copy of which had been transmitted to
the League.
31. It was confirmed early in the year that the Iranian authorities were
refusing to accept telegrams either from or to Bahrein. The question of repre
sentations to the Iranian Government was discussed, but it was decided that no i
useful purpose could be secured thereby. J
Wireless Stations in the Gulf.
32. Following upon the closing of wireless stations previously controlled by
British interests, gifts of the apparatus were in several cases made to the Iranian
Government. This was the case during 1938 with the apparatus at Lingah
(where also the buildings were handed over) and at Bushire. Actually, in the
case of the gift at Lingah (and it transpired in 1938 that in Hen jam the same
mistake had occurred in 1935) rather more was given, owing to a misunder
standing on the part of Cable and Wireless (Limited), than had been authorised.
Little of real value was, however, involved. 33 * * * * *
33. In February the Iranian Government approached His Majesty’s
Legation in the hope of arranging for the exchange of information on
meteorological subjects, to assist aviation and navigation, between the Iranian
stations at Bushire and Jask and Karachi. Two main difficulties arose in the
way of fully complying with this request: first, the somewhat elementary nature
of the Iranian organisation, and, secondly, the fact that the Karachi station was
already overburdened. Also the Iranian Government were somewhat vague as
[19400] d*
HHMHM