Page 590 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

91 ADMINISTRATION RETORT OF THE PERSIAN OULF
discontent at the Shaikh’s exactions, and there is no doubt that a very large
amount of Kuwait capita) has been destroyed in these preparations. The
force was kept out in the desert all through the hot weather and winter, their
upkeep being a constant drain on the merchants’ pockets.
Moreover, the fitting out twice over of this force had absorbed all local
stocks of camel equipment, arms and clothes with the result that prices rose
quite 20 to 30 per cent. It was estimated that, apart from the initial cost of
fitting out, the force was costing the Kuwait public some $60,000 a month in
wages and food.
However, the force justified its existence by a raid, in the last week
ef September, when it captured some 5,000 Thaffir camels when watering
near Chabda and Shagra, west-north-west from Sanam Hill, without suffi­
cient guards.
On the return of the force to Jahara as a sop to his pearl merchants who
were becoming restless under the heavy expenditure imposed on them, the
Shaikh disbanded most of the force, but shortly afterwards again raised his
standing army, which remained under arms in the desert under his sons until
the close of the year. In January of this year, however Sadun made overtures
for peace which were accepted with conditions, and it is hoped that the matter
will soon be finally concluded.
In August Shaikh Mubarak gave one of his daughters in marriage to
his nephew Saua-bin-Muharamad-bin-
Shaikh Mubarak’s Affairs.
Subah, and the union will no doubt help
to heal the breach between Shaikh Mubarak and the family of the murdered
Muhammad-bin-Subah.
The Shaikh has erected a new set of three rooms on the west side of,
and in the same style of Basrah brick as his present palace, the labour for
the work being imported from Baghdad.
Shaikh Mubarak’s relations with the Ottoman authorities, at the
beginning of the year, were unusually
Shaikh Mubarak’s Foreign Rc-latioDs.
intimate, several meetings with Wall
Suleiman Nathif Bey taking place, during which various wild schemes were
proposed.
In March, Shaikh Mubarak placed the services of his Secretary,
Abdul Aziz-bin-Salim-bin-Badr, at the disposal of the Wali to arrange at
Maskat for a supply of stones required by the Wali for the Laudable purpose
of metalling a road’ from Basrah to Zubair. As the Wali failed to provide
the necessary money the scheme fell through after the road bad been aligned.
The Basrah authorities have frequently attempted to induce the
Shaikh both by pressure and the hope of rewards to take out Turkish Nation­
ality papers, but this the Shaikh has hitherto declined to do and his Fadaghia
property consequently remains unregistered.
In October the Basrah authorities threatened to station Turkish soldiers
at Fadaghia so as to impound the produce, but this never actually took place.
Shaikh's relations with Mohammerah.—The Shaikh's friendship with
Shaikh Khazal has continued as close as heretofore. He has paid frequent
visits to Shaikh Khazal often staying with him for several! days.
Id February, the Shaikh stayed at Fallahiyah for over a week having
placed himself in the hands of Shaikh Khazal’s doctor, Dr. Francis, for treat­
ment. He also brought Dr. Francis to Kuwait for some days to continue the
treatment which is for diabetes.
Sheikh’s relations with the American Missionary.—The American
Mission have established a branch on a permanent footing in Kuwait during
the year. Early in January the Shaikh met Dr. Bennett of the Mission at
Fallahivab and invited him to Kuwait. Shortly after he arrived with two
other Missionary friends and, having leased a* house from the Shaikh, in
March, opened a medical dispensary. Dr. Bennett, having come at the
Shaikh's invitation, and dispensing free medicines soon acquired a large
practioe.