Page 75 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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At noon a Tloyal Salute of 31 guns was fired by II. M. S. Folkestone anchored
in tlie harbour, and the Political Agent held the usual official rcccpti on.
His Excellency the Shaikh again in December of 1931 officially intimated that
the English New Year, should in future also be looked upon as a public holiday,'
but that shops would not be closed.
The above two incidents which were entirely spontaneous, show the growing
anxiety of the Shaikh to prove to the world and his people his connection with
Great Britain. No doubt the coming “ independence ” of Iraq and the feeling that
Kuwait is to become even more isolated than formerly, and is incapable of
resisting the aggression of two strong land neighbours alone, had someting to do
with the decision.
(/i) Foreign Trade.—(i) The sale of Russian Matches and Piece Goods appeared
at the end of the year to be greatly on the increase;
The former which bear the picture on the face of 2 crossed Union Jacks, and a
suitable superscription in English were sold at the truly remarkable price of IG
boxes for one anna. They were very popular naturally.
(u) Russian Piece Goods were equally cheap, and the quality was nearly always
superior to the Japanese article of the same kind.
(in) Italian Rugs of the Scotch plaid variety began to arrive in large quantities
in the autumn just before winter set in. A good thick one cost only Rs. 10. The
rugs sold like “ hot cakes *\
(tv) Japanese Articles maintained their popularity and their prices compared
favourably with those of Soviet manufacture, while shoes with crepe rubber soles
and heels sold at the amazing price of Rs. 2-8*0.

VI.—Foreign Interests.
(а) In January 1931 a curious agitation was started against the American
Missionary community in Kuwait, and might have had unfortunate results, had not
the Ruler squashed the movement with firm hand. Apparently an outpatient of
the Hospital and a member of the “ Shabiba ” or “ youths * Party ” in Kuwait,
a newly formed group which imbibes the Political views of some of the Iraq
extremists, took the trouble to listen to a Religious address given by one of the
Mission’s Arab teachers to the Hospital patients. Then apparently of malice afore­
thought, he promptly went to his club and told all and sundry that the Americans
>vere preaching against Islam and Mohomed the Prophet.
A monster petition was immediately presented to the Ruler demanding
instant action on his part. The latter took the matter quietly, and asked for a
specific accusation to be made, and for witnesses to be produced. Neither were
forthcoming and the alarmed conspirator fled and took refuge in the house of one
Haji Shimlan (a prominent Pearl merchant). The latter assisted by several not­
ables of the Town went to the Shaikh and interceded for the youth. The end of
it all was that the Ruler issued a very stern warning to the “ Shabiba ” to refrain
from matters that did not concern them, and pardoned the originator of the trouble,
saying that he would have no mercy at all, the next occasion such false and malici-
ous accusations were made. The matter died a natural death.
(б) A Pole by name M. Bqdan Zictarslri and a German American named Carl
Raswan, well known as a horse fancier in California, visited Kuwait, on 31st January.
The former knew neither English nor Arabic ; but the latter spoke both well. Their
avowed object was to buy high class Arab yearlings and they hoped to be allowed
to go into Nejd. This they wero told they could not dp unless they had Biq
Baud’s permission. They stayed with the Political Agent for 2 days and then
returned to Iraq.
Mr. Raswan incidentally stated that he was the joint author of the well-
known book on the Arabian Horse by Mr. Brown of New York, though he spoke
the reverse of flatteringly about the latter.
(c) On 3rd February instructions were received from the Hon’ble the Political
Resident to welcome and show round the Japanese Minister accredited to Persia
who was travelling up the gulf by S. S. “ Bandra As the ship hurried her depar­
ture somewhat unnecessarily, there was no tune to take the Minister ashore.

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