Page 504 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

10 ADMN. RErORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOn 1010.

His relations with the Turks were, on the whole, unsatisfactory; ho
started well with the new Wali, Suleiman Nathif Bey, but the latter was a
schemer and hostile to Mubarak at hcrat, and the latter’s friendly overtures
only resulted in attempts on the part of the Wali to trick him into acceptance
of the Turkish nationality. The Wali’s patriotic ambitions however soon car­
ried him too far and it was not long before he fell, as the result partly of his
active hostility towards the Shaikh of Mohammerah and partly of his un­
satisfactory relations with Nazim Pasha, Wali of Baghdad, Nathif Bey
had been in journalism before taking diplomatic office; and, on his retire­
ment from Basrah, applied himself in writing up in the papers the burning
questions of the north of the Gulf from the “ Young Turk ” point of view.
After a probationary visit of some months from Dr. Bennett, the establish­
ment of a medical branch of the American Ajabian Mission was agreed to by
Shaikh Mubarak on the compliance of the Mission with certain conditions
satisfactory to the Shaikh and the British Government.
In connection with the arms traffic, Shaikh Mubarak's attitude during
the year showed some improvement and was not unsatisfactory on the whole.
It is true he gave some trouble in regard to a dhow belonging to Messrs.
Goguver of Maskat, which had brought up some 3C£) Gras rifles under the
French flag, but, in view of the presence of the Tricolour and the probability
that his action would mean a difficult exchange of communications with
Goguyer or the French authorities, the fact that the Shaikh ultimately did
what we wanted, was a matter for some satisfaction.
According to'the Political Agent, the retail sale of arms in Kuwait ha^
now absolutely ceased under the Shaikh’s order, and a certain quantity of arms
end ammunition which he was allowed to order up from Maskat for his own
use, represents the whole import for the year.
The Shaikh has been somewhat disturbed during the latter part of the
year by the newspaper discussion of the affairs of the Middle East which has
been going on and which has included a good deal of talk regarding the status
of Kuwait: but he has been very philosophical and sensible on the whole, re­
lying implicitly on the protective value of his relations with the British
Government, and their determination to act up to them.
P. Z. COX, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.

\