129 Gulf wrote : “ Page 1. “ We have not hitherto tried to govern or administer the Shaikh doms and have only intervened directly in their internal affairs to stop slave trading and, to stopmajor fighting between different Shaikhdoms.” The above is not altogether correct. We have in the past intervened drastically in Bahrain to the extent of deposing its Ruler and in the nineteen-twenties for some years, the Political Agent to all intents and purposes administered the island himself. In Kuwait, we have intervened to maintain law and order internally particularly in 1938-39.On the Trucial Coast, we have intervened to stop slave trading, the arms traffic and fighting by sea. Up to date we have not intervened to stop fighting by land. Page 2. “(A) -We should go on with the present policy of non - intervention”. I should prefer to describe it as a “policy of not intervening except when compelled». Actually, the policy we have pursued from the beginning in the Gulf is one of intervening when forced to do so to protect our interests and then of making the most of the opportunity to strengthen our position. This is the same opportunist policy that has led to the establishment of British rule of influence in many other parts of the world. We have never had any cut and dried policy so far as intervention is concerned and I am doubtful if it is necessary to introduce one now. We must deal with situation as they arise and take such opportunities as they offer for consolidating our position. Page 3. I have no comments on recommendation 1, except that we do not really require an additional Adviser as such in Bahrain. Our main desideratum is to find a means of getting rid of Belgrave** with a minimum of friction and replacing him with somebody more satisfactory. With regard to recommendation2, please seemy despatchNo.43dated 5thMay 1948. I agree in principle, but we must proceed very slowly.The population of the Gulf States is extremely small and except at Bahrain and Kuwait, extremely backward. Apart from this, other Gulf States are jealous of the position occupied by Bahrain and will be slow in supporting any institute established at that place. Further, the Kuwait Oil Company proposes to establish a technical school of its own. I FROM A CIVIL AIR STATION TO A MILITARY BASE ** Charles Belgrave was Advisor to the Ruler of Bahrain from 1926 to 1957.
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