Page 62 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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Abdulla, near Bunder Zobcir. They wore once
the pirates of the north of the Persian Gulf,
and were expcllod from their former stronghold
by the Bussornh authorities. They caino down
the Bubiyan Creek and settled on the southern
shore of the " Bay of Grane,” whore they built
a fort or "koto/* whence the name Koweit is
derived.
Limits.
Tho limits of Koweit have never been neeu- India Ofllce,
ratoly, or, indeed, even approximately, defined. May 12‘ 1902,
Tho claims of the Sheikh extend on tho south as
far as Musalamiya Bay, but the British Resident
was of opinion that they could not be supported,
and that this place was clearly within tho sphere
of Turkish influence.
On the north they include Safwan, Uni Kasr,
and Subiya on tho mainland, and the islands of
Warba and Bubiyan. Much correspondence
took place in 1902 in regard to the nature of
these claims, owing to a forward move of the
Turks, who erected a fort at Um Kasr, and
established a military post at itas-al-Goit on
Bubiyau Island.
As regards Safwan, it was considered doubtful India Office,
February •*>, 1902.
whether tho Sheikh’s claims could bo maintained,
as they rested upon tho shifting allegiance of
migratory tribes.
In a report on Um Kasr, Captain Smyth, who Sir N. O’Conor,
made a special survey of the proposed trace of Juju/is, 1904.
the Bagdad Railway in 1901, observes that he Sir N. O’Conor,
learned on the spot that the old fort of Um Telegraphic,
Kasr is generally held to have been built by the March 1C, 1902.
grandfather of Sheikh Mubarek, and that it was
♦
occasionally occupied during the spring months
by Arabs from Koweit. Mr. Wrafcislaw, ilis
Majesty’s Consul at Bussorah, stated that while
it was highly desirable to secure control over
Urn Kasr, the Sheikh bad only a very shadowy
claim to it, and it had been uninhabited for
many years. On the other hand, the Turks
seemed to have little claim beyond that of actual
occupation.
“ His claim to Bubiyan Island,” Mr. Wratislaw
continued, “ is in my opinion good. Por some I
months every year regularly it is used as a
I
fishing ground by Arabs acknowledging his
authority, and by no others.”
Tho claim to Subiya was supported by Ilia Sir N. 0V»»imr.
No. 40.
Majesty’s Government, and, with a view no Telegraphic,
March 2d, 1902.