27 of India Affairs in London, in which he said that owing to the fact that Sharjah had become the airport of the Trucial Coast, its Sheikh should be the ruler the British would give most support to.11 Four months later, the English changed the way they treated Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr. They went from support to taking punitive measures. On the eve of 3 November 1933, the Royal British Ship arrived at Sharjah. It had been scheduled for arrival the previous day. However, the Supreme Commander of the British forces had to change the date for the return of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr from Bahrain. Sheikh Sultan had already been informed of the visit. The English also had confirmed the same in an official request presented to Sheikh Sultan, that he was to receive the General Commander of the British Forces in India personally, as this was his first visit to the Gulf. In spite of this, Sheikh Sultan had left for Bahrain and made excuses that he was unable to return to Sharjah on time. He did return though, but this was late. The Political Agent in Sharjah, Mr Eissa bin Abdullatif, advised him to apologize for that action, which he did. On 4 November, the Supreme Commander visited the airport and runway, and after visiting Officer Finch, Mackay’s assistant, in the rest house, the latter accompanied him in his tour. No visit was made to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr whose importance had been on the increase. Consequently, Sheikh Sultan went to visit the Royal ship. He was very polite in his exchange with the English, but the usual salutary gun shots were not fired for him. Also, the Commander himself did not reciprocate the visit. Shortly after, the English decided to cancel the firing of those shots whenever Sheikh Sultan was to visit any British military ship. This decision was conveyed to Sheikh Sultan by Eissa bin Abdullatif. Sheikh Sultan said that he was afraid that suchnewsmight spread throughout the coast. The news had already been spread among all those concerned with the relations between the English and the Trucial Coast Sheikhs. The situation was closely monitored especially the ways Sheikh Sultan was using in its dealings with the English.12 11 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/1965, P.Z.116−1934, 3710, P.Z.587−340. 12 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/4120, P.Z.7715/1933. THE BUILDING OF SHARJAH AIR STATION
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