Page 273 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

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FOR THE YEAR 101S. 131
^.t-lauroato read an Arabic ode in eulogy of His Majesty, light refreshments
J^ro served and tho proceedings closod. Tho Shaikh took great personal
,n(crcst in tho preliminary arrangements and tho proceedings and expressed in
tho wannest terms^ his thanks and appreciation in being honoured with so
jilaal a niark of Ilis Majesty’s favour.
Shortly before tho arrival of Sir Edmond Slade with a commission of
oil experts tho Shaikh willingly gave a
Miuing and Oil Field Conoewiona.
document binding himself not to lease
or grant any concessions for oil-wells except with the concurrence and on tho
rccomnaendation of His Majesty’s Govornmeui. He was also most active
jnd helpful in furthering the investigations of tbo Oil Commission.
An unusually largo number of British Indians visited Kuwait during the
vear, some for trading purposes, but tho majority as drivers, theso latter being
‘mostly from the Malabar Coast.
The most important event of the year has been tho signature of the
Anglo-Turkisli Convention after negotia­
Anglu-Turkisb Convention.
tions which have extended over two years.
The Convention deals comprehensively with the whole sphere of Persian Gulf
politics, but the portions more nearly affecting Kuwait msy ho summarized
as follows:—
(a) The Porte’s claim to suzerainty over Kuwait is admitted together
with tho right to appoint a Turkish Agent for the protection of
Turkish nationals to reside in Kuwait.
(b) The Porte admits and recognizes the validity of all agreements
between the British Government and the Shaikh of Kuwait.
(c) The confines of the Kuwait Principality arc defined and include an
area some 200 miles long from north to south and 150 miles from
east to west.
(d) The Porte accords tho Shaikh an almost absolute autonomy,
agreeing to abstain from any interference in external and
internal affairs or in questions of the succession.
(e) The two Powers are agreed that, should the Baghdad ltailway bo
prolonged to Kuwait, arrangements as to the Customs duties,
facilities, etc., at the terminal port and in connection with tho
railway within Kuwait boundaries shall not bo completed
without full consultation with the British Government.
(/) The Shaikh will be entitled a Turkish Knimmakam and the Porto
will also so entitle each succeeding Shaikh by Imperial Firman.
Tho Convention was, on the whole, fairly well received by the Shaikh
though he was at first much perturbed at the clauses permitting the residence
of a Turkish Agent, and requiring the recognition of each succeeding Shaikh
by Imperial Firman. He was also uneasy as to his rights regarding Customs
duties, etc., under the clause regarding the possible prolongation of the Baghdad
Railway. He was eventually reassured on theso points, though he still persists
in trying to obtain a definito assurance from tho British Government guaran­
teeing tho succession of his own heirs made to the Shaikhdom.
The Convention regularises the status of Kuwait and in that respect is
* valuable instrument.
Tho Shaikh’s relations with the Ottoman Government continue to be
friendly, though no doubt his sympathies
With tho Turkuh Government.
are with Bin Saud in his efforts to free
himself from Turkish interference in Eastern Nejd.
Shaikh Sir Mubarak-us-Subah, seeing that funds were being sent to the
Turkish Red Crescent Sooietv from all (juarters and fooling that furthur dis­
couragement of subscription from Kuwait might place him in an undesirable
position, oonvened a meeting of the leading mcrohants on the 10th January
*nd opened a subscription list in aid of the wounded and sufferers intboTurko-
Balkan War. Ho despatched BT.7,000 to Basrah by his yacht on the 12th
for remittance to the Red Crescent Society in addition to J6T.4,000 whioh it
*as said had boon previously remitted by a draft.
s t