Page 67 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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CHAPTER IX.
Administration Report of the Kuwait Political Agency for tiie year 1931 •

I.—Personnel.
(а) Lieutenant-Colonel H. R. P. Dickson, C.I.E., held charge of the Political
Agency throughout the year, except for the period 28th May to 11th September,
when Assistant Surgeon A. L. Greemvay, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., UI.D., was in
charge, the Political Agent having proceeded on leave to the United Kingdom.
(б) Assistant Surgeon A. L. Greenway, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., I.M.D., was in
Medical charge of the Agency Charitable Dispensary, and performed the duties of
Quarantine Medical Officer throughout the year.
II.—The Ruling Family.
(a) The Ruler, His Excellency Shaikh Sir Ahmad al-Jabir as-Subah, K.C.I.E.,
C.S.I., has managed his State during the year under review with consummate abi­
lity and success.
He has maintained correct and friendly relations with his two powerful neigh­
bours, the Kingdom of Iraq and the Kingdom of Hejaz—Nejd, lying to the North
and South of his territory, respectively, in spite of the unfriendly and disappointing
policy of the former in the matter of the “ A1 Subah ” date gardens, on thcShatt-
nl-Arab on the one hand and the continued blockade on the land side by the forces
of His Majesty King Bin Saud, whose avowed object would still appear to be to
force Kuwait to acknowledge him as suzerain, by the simple process of strangula­
tion.
The closeness of this blockade coupled with the complete failure of the 1931
Kuwait Pearl Season, for the third year in succession, has reduced Kuwait to such a
state of poverty and economic distress that it has required all the skill and patience
of the Ruler to prevent the hot-headed members of his family from attempting
retaliatory measures, in the form of intriguing with the Border Tribes, and his lead­
ing merchants from leaving Kuwait and transferring their business elsewhere.
So wisely and tactfully has the Ruler dealt with the internal situation, and so
widely have his relief measures and free distribution of food been appreciated by
the poorer and more hungry elements in the Town, that his personal popularity
as Ruler to-day stands higher perhaps than it has ever stood before.
Shaikh Sir Ahmad al-Jabir literally has, and is, playing the part of father to
his people, and by regularly going about among them, and by adopting a frugal and
unostentatious way of living, ana by cutting down his own household expenses to
a paltry Rs. 1,500 a month, has set an example to all in the way they should meet
their difficulties.
In this matter of the blockade the Ruler has steadfastly placed his reliance on
the promises made by His Majesty’s Government, during the “ Akhwan ” rebellion
of 1929-30 against their liege lord His Majesty King Abdul Aziz as Saud, which
were to the effect that in return for his, the Shaikh’s'loyal co-operation, the British
Government would do its utmost by diplomatic pressure or other means, to get the
blockade raised.
The Shaikh’s affection for everything British, and his faith in the word of His
Majesty’s Government still stands high, and it is earnestly to be hoped that 1932
will see his trust adequately rewarded, not only in the greater matter of the Block­
ade, but in the vexed question of the family properties on the Shatt-al-Arab in
Iraq.
(6) As is usual during the cold weather His Excellency and leading members
of his family indulged in many hawking expeditions. Owing to the improved state
of affairs in the hinterland following on the putting down of the Akhwan rebellion,
such expeditions were able to go far into the interior during the early part of 1931,
for instance on 5th January 1931 His Excellency Shaikh Sir Ahmad reached Khabari
Watha, and his cousin Shaikh Salman al Hamad al Subah reached Jarriya, 00 and
100 miles respectively inside Nejd territory.
(c) Another pleasing feature of 1931 was the general exodus during March and
April, of the Shaikh and many members of the Al Subah family into camp. Their