Page 73 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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(<?) questions affecting the position and interests of British and United
States oil companies;
(/) the maintenance of good relations between British subjects in
Kuwait and the local inhabitants;
(g) the security of Kuwait and the prevention of the entry of undesirable
elements.”!*3)

II.—Internal Affairs
10. In the opening years of the period under review Kuwait was much
disturbed by Akhwan raids from Saudi Arabia.(u) These ceased with the collapse
of the Akhwan rebellion against Ibn Saud in 1930 and since then except for minor
incursions from Iraq and Saudi Arabia the peace of Kuwait has not been troubled
by her neighbours.
11. The only internal disturbances worth mentioning took place in 1938
and 1939. In March 1938 serious agitation broke out against the Ruler who had
left the conduct of affairs to his Secretary, Khan Bahadur Salih, the father of the
present Ruler’s Secretary, Abdulla Mulla, and was showing too much favour to a
young Syro-Egyptian Izzat Jaafar. The Ruler had the leading agitator flogged
until he revealed the names of his associates. Some of these fled and others went
about armed. Under instructions from His Majesty’s Government, the Political
Agent took the Ruler to task orally over the repeated flogging of the agitator to
obtain information and recommended to him that he should associate himself
more with both his family and his people in his administration. He also suggested
the appointment of a British Adviser.!*3) The Ruler returned evasive replies but in
July as the result of pressure by his people established an elected administrative
Council under the presidency of Abdullah al Salim. It may be noted that the
establishment of such a Council had been made a condition of Ahmad’s recognition
by the people of Kuwait on his accession in 1921 ,(,c) but that though elected it never
met. The new Council quickly obtained complete control of the situation and
the Ruler became for a time a cypher. In August serious disagreement arose
between the Ruler and his Council because the latter demanded the removal of
his Secretary, Salih, and the Ruler threatened to abdicate. The Secretary left
Kuwait of his own accord. At this time the Ruler asked for a British Adviser
and that Kuwait should be dealt with in the same way as Bahrain, but it was
considered impossible to accede to his request unless it was supported by the
Council.(l1) In October under instructions from His Majesty’s Government the
Political Resident made a written communication to the Ruler expressing
satisfaction at the establishment of the Council but assuming that there would
be no change in the arrangements by which His Majesty’s Government conducted
the foreign affairs of Kuwait.(**) A similar communication was made orally to the
Council. In December the Ruler decided in view of growing popular opposition
to the arbitrary use of its power to dissolve the Council. A tense situation arose
but it was eventually decided that there should be fresh elections. These were
held and a new Council containing more members was elected. This never met
and was dissolved by the Ruler in March 1939 owing to the refusal of its members
to agree to his exercising the power of veto over its decisions. This led to further
agitation and some rioting but the Ruler managed to obtain control of the situation
and after he had executed one of the agitators others were imprisoned or fled and
the situation returned to normal. The Ruler then nominated another Council
consisting of four members of his family and nine notables. He exercised a power
of veto over its decisions and frequently attended its meetings. The Council was
reported to have passed away in 1945 but was revived in 1946 and was last heard
of in 1948. It is interesting to note that in 1951 the Foreign Office suggested the
establishment of a Council or Cabinet which would include some of the Rulers
British employees but that the local political authorities thought the scheme too
ambitious.!19)
(•*) F.O. to P.R. Despatch 125 (EA 1053/8) of July 24. 1953.
(u) Para. 40 at p. 82. P.G. 13.
(•») I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 4401/38 of June 25. 1938 (E 3773/1642/91 of 1938).
('•) Para. 3 at p. 23. P.G. 13.
(") I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 5661/38 of August 12. 1938 (E 4741 /1642/91 of 1938).
(“) I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 7321/38 of October 31. 1938 (E 6376/1642/91 of 1938).
(»•) P.R. to F.O. 1044/102 of December 18. 1951 (EA 1052/50 of 1951).