Page 70 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

64
“ Wo therefore recommend, if diplomatic con­
siderations permit, that the Sheikh of Koweit
should bo incited to specify the nature of his
claims to Warba Island, to which he is under­
stood frequently to have referred; and that the
continued occupation of Bubiyan Island by a
Turkish post, in derogation of the Sheikh’s terri­
torial claims (which have been recognized and
supported by His Majesty’js Government), should
he neutralized by the establishment forthwith of
a Koweiti post, with the countenance of His
Majesty’s Government, on Warba Island, or, if
that should prove undesirable, on the northern
shore of Bubiyau Island. If practicable, we
would oven recommend the establishment of
posts on both islands.
"We desire to emphasize the importance
which we attach to the effective assertion of the
Sheikh’s territorial claims to Bubiyan.”

The Admiralty concurred in these recommen- ^m5ra^’9
, 1907.
dations, and Sir E. Grey was of opinion that,
To India Office,
while it would be desirable to assert any rights November 12,
which the Sheikh might possess in respect of _ _ ,
Warba Island, his# jurisdiction over Bubiyan India, February 4,
should be resolutely supported by His Majesty’s 1904‘
Government on the grounds so forcibly stated by
the Government of India.
It was decided, in the first instance, to ascer­
tain the nature of the Sheikh’s claim to Warba,
and this is now being done.
On the 15th October, 1907, a Secret Agreement
was signed with thewSheikh of Koweit, granting
to His Majesty's Government, for a yearly rental
of 4,000/., a perpetual lease of a portion of the
foreshore at Bunder Shweikh (near Koweit),
which is held, on topographical and hydro-
graphical considerations, to possess greater capa­
bilities as a railway terminus than any other
place on the Persian Gulf. The Agreement
includes rights of pre-emption in regard to Has
Katliama, Warba, and any territory over which
the Sheikh may exercise jurisdiction.
This Agreement, and the appointment in 1903
of a British Political Agent to reside at Koweit,
have done much to strengthen our position.
Further measures which may he considered
advisable are the construction of a lighthouse on Lighthouse.
Puilaka Island or on Kubbar Island (which is
considered necessary for navigation purposes)
and the erection of a wireless telegraphic Wireless Telegraphy.