Page 68 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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Indies went with them in every case, and camps were pitched as far afield as 50
miles from the Town and wherever good grazing was found. Such a tiling had not
happened for the previous 9 years, and everything augured well for the future.
(d) On 5th June His Excellency the Shaikh by the courtesy of the Royal Air
Force flew to Bahrain in a flying boat (“ Rangoon ”) and after spending 5 days with
His Excellency Shaikh Hamad al Khalifa, the Ruler of that State, returned to
Kuwait on 10th June, again by air.
.(e) On 20th July His Excellency the Shaikh again paid a friendly visit to the
neighbouring State of Bahrain, proceeding in liis newly built motor yacht. He
returned on 11th August.
(/) His Fxcelkncy the Shaikh, accompanied by the Political Agent and Mrs.
Dickson, visited the Pearl Banks 100 miles down the ITassa Coast, in his motor
yacht on the 22nd September and returned on the 23rd September. Whilst there,
His Excellency fired the gun signifying the official closing of the Pearl Season
“ GufTal ”, and the whole fleet of some 300 sailing vessels proceeded back to Kuwait.
It was an inspiring sight to see these vessels, each crammed with a black crew
manoeuvring for position and finally crowding on all sail and racing home to Kuwait,
after their 4 months sojourn on the banks.
(g) On November 6th His Excellency the Shaikh completed a fine tennis court
and pavilion in his garden at the back of the Town, and invited the Political
Agent to take it over for his own use, and the use of Naval Officers and other
European visitors who visited his Town. Balls, rackets, net, etc., etc., were
supplied in the first instance. As the Agency possesses neither garden nor tennis
court the kindly feeling which prompted the Ruler to build the court for the use of
the Political Agent and his guests was much appreciated. This act was only one of
many that the Shaikh has done to show his friendship for the Political Agent and
English men in general.
Incidentally it may not be out of place to mention that the Shaikh also pre­
sented a plot of ground of some 4 acres, 2 years ago as a site for the new Political
Agency Building but although funds were provided l£ years ago, no move has
been made by the Public Works Department authorities to start the building as
yet. This has been a great disappointment to the writer, and has not done our
prestige any good.
III.—Relations with the Ruler.
The relations between His Majesty’s Political Agent and the Ruler have
continued to be of a most satisfactory nature throughout the year. It is doubtful
whether they have ever been on a pleasanter or more friendly footing.
The policy of the Political Agent has been, and is, to interfere as little as he
possibly can with the internal administration of the State, and in return the Ruler
trusts him and consults him in most things especially in matters connected with his
foreign relations. This, in the opinion of the writer, is as near the ideal as possible,
for the Ruler is not only flattered and pleased to think that he is allowed to “ run
his show ” without irritating interference from the Political Agent, but enables him
successfully to combat the insidious suggestions of anti-British propagandists who
are never tired of preaching and insinuating that Great Britain’s eventual aim is to
get the Arab Rulers of the Gulf, and Arabia generally, completely under her control.
Results are particularly happy in the matter of financial control, for the Political
Agent beyond calling for a statement of annual Customs House imports and exports
and their value, etc., for his trade report, leaves all matters connected with the
Shaikh’s financial arrangements severely alone.
IV.—Blockade.
The autumn and winter of 1930-31 had seen some relaxation of the blockade,
and it was hoped that perhaps Bin Saud was growing tired of the “ game ” in face
of the outcry and dissatisfaction that his North-Eastern tribes and especially the
cities of Qasim were showing at his policy.
Actually the King would appear not to have modified his plans nor changed his
mind in the least, but to have only been forced temporarily to allow his frontier
tribes to purchase their immediate supplies in Kuwait, owing to the serious threat
of a wide-spread famine. The tribes recently in rebellion against his authority,
in particular the Mutair and Ajman had lost most of their live stock and camels,