Page 184 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

108
Appendix J.
(Sco para. 3G0.)
Notes underlying Foreign. Deportment letter No. Z91Q-E.A., dated the 7th September 1904, to
the Political Resident, Persian Gut/.

It would have been better, I think, if the Secretary of Slate had been more explicit in
his instructions. If Captain Knox is to go to Kowcit in a manner not to attract unnecessary
attention, he must, it would seem, go there as a visitor, and not as British Political Agent. But
it will be difficult to divest of an official appearance the visit, when it comes to be prolonged,
of an officer who is First Assistant to the Resident at Bushiro, and whose place there will Ik* at
onoo filled up. In any case, Captain Knox's official establishment and way of life would neces­
sarily bo very unpretentious at first in Kowoit. and the only formalities which might he omitted
appear to bo his notifying to the Sheikh the nature of his appointment and his fiyiug of the
British flag at his residence. On these points I think that the Resident aud Captain Knox
moy reasonably expect instructions. Is ho to conceal from the Sheikh the reason of his going
to Koweit? This can hardly be intended, and would not be workable for long; but if he does
iuform Mubarak of the capacity in which ho lias come, tho news of the posting of a Political
Agent to Kowcit will soon reach the cars of the Turks. In that case it serves little purpose,
and looks rather undignified if the Political Agent refrains from hoisting the flag.
1-8-04, S. M. Fraser.
* * * * *
By the last mail we received a paper showing that, on receipt of our telegram of 1th July,
Secretary of State addressed the Foreign Secretary to know if we were correct in detaining the
Political Agent, and it is only now that Secretary' of State has been able to tell us that it was
not contemplated that the Political Agent should be detained. Major Cox also recommends
that Captain Knox should start at once; so, with Your Excellency’s permission, the telegram
may issue as slightly amended.
As to the flag, Lord Curzon held that whoever
• Page G of notes la Secret E., July 1901,
Nos. 620-659. went there should fly it,* but wc need not say
anything about this at present.
If there is any difficulty, Major Cox will refer the point.
Captain Trevor may, as already arranged, proceed to Bushire forthwith, and I will suggest
another man for Bunder Abbas. Wc may have to go outside the Department.
Instructions to Captain Knox have also to be drafted. We cannot say much more than
that it will be bis duty to maintain close and friendly relations with Sheikh Mubarak, and to
safeguard the interests of British trade and tradors at Koweit and in the adjacent tracts of
Arabia, while maintaining a vigilant watch over tho proceedings of the Turks on the bound­
aries of Koweit territories. He should at once report all matters tending to show any attempt
on the part of tho Turks or any other Power to interfere with or disturb ihe existing status quo,
or anything which would lead to a belief that any other Powers have designs on, or in connec­
tion with possible harbours within or without Kowcit territory. Special regard in this respect
should be paid to Khor Abdulla and the waters
t Pro. No. 200 in 8«ret E., March 1901, Nos.
200-201. round Bubiyan Islandf and Um Kasr, but he
should be careful not to display undue apprehen­
sion or uneasiness on this point, or, in default of definite instructions, to interior actively in
matters affecting these places, though any attempt on the part of tho Turks or others acting
from Turkish territory' to oncroach beyond the
t Page 1 of notes in Secret E., March 190-i, Noi.
200.201. limits laid down by His Majesty’s Govemraont,
Ilcjijit and Subhick, should be forthwith reported.
He should also endeavour to asccrt un if these places really represent tho bounds of Sheikh
Mubarak’s effective occupation at present.
2-8-04. L. W. Dane.
Instructions to Captain Knox may be drafted on the lines proposed by the Secretary, and
I will examine them when drafted.
Captain Trevor should be ordered to Bushire at once.
2-8-04, A[mpthill].
% * * * # * * *
The instructions to the Political Agent would be incomplete without - some mention of the ,
burning question of the day in Koweit, namely, the struggle in Ncjd between Ibn Saood and
Ibn Rasbid, and the allied matter of the importation of arms. I would, therefore, add the
following to tho draft
,fHe should also endeavour to secure early and accurate information regarding tho struggle
hetween the Ibn Rashid aud Ibn Saood families for tho supremacy of Nojd. Tho polioy o
Government of India is to exclude Turkish iiifluonco in Nojd as far as jiossiblc, and to regaru
the proceedings of Ibn Saood with a friendly eye, as, if he recovers powor, ho may be useful to