Page 278 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

136 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION RETORT
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Hearing that Bin Saud was within 3 days’ march and close to his intended return
route the Political Agent decided to diverge to Bin Saud’s camp and renew hjl
acquaintance. After leaving Majrna the Political A"cnt continued his tovw
south-eastwards and reached Bin Baud’s camp at IChafs on the 30th March
Ho remained, halted 3 days in Bin Saud’s camp and was treated in the most
friendly and hospitable fashion. He found that though Bin Saud and lib, in.
fluential men were anxious to hear the latest nows of the Turko-Balkan \yar"
they evinced no sympathy for the Turkish cause. After leaving Bin Sand’s
camp the Political Agont marched cast-north-east to the Rumailiiyah wells
and thence north-west to Hafar-ul-Ats wells. Colonel Polly is the only other
European who has visited this district, which, as far as desert can he, was a
pleasing expanse of rolling downs coverod with green “ Arafij ” bushes in
flower and numbers of wild flowering plants. After leaving Hafar-ul-Ats the
Political Agent marched northwards again crossing the Dahanah and
Buman. tracts to Jariya-as-Siyah wells. He had difficulty over water
but fortunatoly found some in a rock fissure after 3 days’ march in the
Buman—the water though exceedingly bad was acceptable. Prom Jariya-as-
Biflah ho proceeded to Hamth whence he turned north and reached Kuwait
on the 21st April. His trip covered a considerable amouut of unexplored
country and should prove useful from a geographical point of view.
The Political Agent visited Bushirc twice in tho Agency Launch “ Lewis
Pelly,” in January and October and also His Majesty's Consuls at Moliam-
merah and Basrah iu Juno and December. He visitea Kubbar Island on the
24 th Pebruary. He accompanied the Resident to Bahrain on the 17th
November and again visited that port on the 6th December with. His Excel­
lency the Naval Commander-in-Chicf.
The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf visited Kuwait in October.
Rear-Admiral Sir Edmond Slade, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O., with liis party of
geologists and oil experts arrived in H.M S. “ Sphinx ” on the 11th November
and left the same evening accompanied by tbe Political Agent to inspect
Burgan HilL They returned on the 13 th and left for Mohammerah on the
14th.
Major-Ganeral TV .R. Birdwood, C.B., C.S.I., C.I.E., D.S,0., Secretary
to the Government of India, Army Department, arrived in R.I.M.S. ” Lawren­
ce ” on the 2~th November from Bahrain accompanied by Colonel Lee, late
officiating Military Secretary to the Viceroy and left for Mohammerah on
the 25th. They exchanged calls with Shaikh Mubarak and left for Moham­
merah on the 25th.
Major G. S. G. Craufurd, D S O , Intelligence Officer, arrived on the 23rd
January and on the 28th accompanied tho Political Agent in the Agency
Launch to Bushire.
The charge of the Political Agency was held by Captain TV. H. I.
Shakcspear, I.A., throughout the year.
Political Charges.

TV. H. I. SHAKESPEAR, Captain,
Political Agent, Kuwait*
The 15th January 1914.

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