Page 257 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953
P. 257

242

                    at a rate in excess of 4 per cent, per invoice value of goods at the port of export.
                    Should, however, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, or his heirs after
                    him, at any time find it necessary to increase the rate of customs beyond 4 per
                    cent, ad valorem, Sheikh Mobarak, on behalf of himself and on behalf of his heirs
                    after him, promises that such an increase shall be levied on the subjects of the
                    aforesaid English Government only after the consent of the precious Imperial
                    English Government has been duly asked for and obtained to such increase.
                        Eleventhly.—And further, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on
                    behalf of himself and on behalf of his heirs after him, promises that the rate levied
                    on goods imported or exported by the subjects of the aforesaid English Government
                    to or from Koweit territories shall not exceed the rate levied on goods imported
                    or exported by his subjects—I mean the people of Koweit—to and from Koweit
                    territories.
                        Twelfthly.—It is further clearly understood that Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah,
                    Ruler of Koweit, has accepted this rent especially from the precious Imperial
                    English Government, and that, as for others than it, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah
                    would not accept from among all the Powers, though they should give him more
                    than this rent, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah would not allow them to possess
                    authority in his dominions, and as for the precious Imperial English Government
                    he is grateful to them and their generosity is upon him, and that he will not consent
                    that a Power other than them shall interfere, though they gave him more than
                    this rent, and he hopes for the permanence of the care of the precious Imperial
                    English Government and its kindness on him and on his heirs after him, and the
                    precious Imperial English Government has honoured me with the special
                    permission that I may assure Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on
                    behalf of the precious Imperial English Government, that the aforesaid English
                    Government does not wish to interfere in the affairs of Koweit, except for the
                    profit of the people of Koweit and the increase of trade, and knowledge and
                    friendship between the English Government and the people of Koweit, and, as
                    regards Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah and his heirs after him, the desire of the precious
                    Imperial English Government is that the friendship and agreement between the
                    English Government and the Sheikh of Koweit may be perpetual.
                        And, finally, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, at the express wish of the precious
                    Imperial English Government, promises that this Agreement shall be kept
                    absolutely secret until such time as the precious Imperial English Government gives
                    permission for its disclosure. And I, Major S. G. Knox, Political Agent of the
                    precious Imperial English Government in Koweit, on behalf of the precious
                    Imperial English Government, have accepted each and all of the terms set forth
                    in this Agreement, and therefore I have affixed my signature this 8th day of
                    Ramthan. 1325 H., corresponding to the 15th day of October, 1907 a.d., and to
                    what I say God is the best witness and protector.

                                                  (Signed)    S. G. KNOX, Major,
                                                                   Political Agent, Koweit.









                                                 APPENDIX B
                                                 (Paragraph 5)
                    Letter, dated December 21 1942, from the Ruler of Kuwait to the Political Agent,
                         Bahrain, about customs dues to be paid by British subjects in Kuwait
                        I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency s
                    No. 251-4/9 of the 20th December, 1942, in which you informed me hat n
                                                                                        all
                    Majesty’s Government have agreed that British subjects pay 6J per cent. 0
                    the goods imported into and exported from Kuwait. I wish to thanK
                   Excellency for this information, but as to the increase of duty to British suJJ
                    that might take place in future we shall consult His Majesty’s Government
                    taking any action.
   252   253   254   255   256   257   258   259   260   261   262