TALE OF A CITY 70 with the conditions provided in the draft. Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi objected, because, as the conditions were, they were in the interests of Sharjah. He said that he had already signed an agreement, and geological works were already being carried out in his territories. The British Government, on the other hand, had added a condition to the agreement with the Petroleum Concessions Limited, granting itself the right to terminate the concession. Reporting on the rulers of the emirates, the Political Agent in Bahrain wrote when he was Political Agent in the Gulf, saying: “ A suggestion is being discussed in Dubai that the Al Falasah, that is the Shaikhly family, should subscribe the sum received by the Shaikh of Dubai on signing the oil concession, compel him to refund it to the company and cancel the concession ” It was clear that the Political Agent in Bahrain, Hugh Weightman, could only convey his threatening attitude through the introduction of a change in the Oil Agreement giving the British Government some powers which could be used against the Sheikhs by way of punishment.2 Lieutenant Colonel Fowele responded saying: “ I am informing the Shaikh [Sultan bin Saqr] that as he has broken his promise to His Majesty’s Government he has no right to their good offices. This will include stoppage of travel papers for himself and has subjects. This action carries out our policy on the Trucial Coast of the principle of tribal responsibility and is the only means of pressure which I have at my disposal.” 3 This was conveyed to Sheikh Sultan by Weightman, Political Agent in Bahrain. Unhesitatingly, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi agreed and sent a letter on 12th January 1938 to H. Weightman, Esquire I. C. S., Political Agent, Bahrain, saying: 2 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/3886, P.Z.1241/1938, p.65. 3 Ibid.,p.66.
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