Page 345 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

FOR THE YEAR 1014. 61
ix place in. Kuwait, the most that is now dono boing the disposal-of old stocks
in accordance with sanotion, and tho occasional illicit .sale of a weapon by
the ownor who is allowed to carry it for purpose of self-defence.
Hews of the outbreak of War between England and Germany reached
Kuwait on 7th August and at first did not excite much interest. But
boforc long it became evident that the
The Wnr.
% pearl market, which was already in an
unsatisfactory condition, would be still further affeefed, and also that circum­
stances would prevent the regular arrival of tho cargo steamers from India of
which the town stands in need for its supplies of rice, sugar, etc. Some in­
convenience in the latter connection was cxporicncod at first and prices ran
up owing to shortage of stocks, but the British India Steam Navigation Com­
pany on being appealed to soon rectified matters, and in a short time prices were
again normal except as regards those articles which arc ordinarily imported
from Germany and Austria.
The political situation was easily dealt with at the commencement of I
hostilities, a statement of the evonts which led to them was published, and
steps were taken to counteract the effect produced by the false news which
arrived periodically from Basrah by tho publication of Reuter’s telegrams.
Upon the entry of Turkey into the War some feeling of sympathy with her was
at first observed, but it rapidly disappeared when it was understood that
Turkey incited by Gcrmauy was entirely responsible for her own position.
The Shaikh’s firmness and loyalty is here of great value; pro-Turks, if any still
remain in Kuwait, arc compelled to keep their views to themselves and public­
ly to profess these held by him.
His Excclloncy the Shaikh adopted a distinctive flag from l7tli Decem­ I
ber. It is of red background inscribed
Flag.
“ Kuwait/’ in white Arabic letters.
The close of 1013 left Bin Saud in possession of Hasa and .Katif, with the
Turks pressing him to come to an agreement with them regarding those
provinces and lie himself waiting for
Bin Sjaud and Nejd Politics. I
some sign from His Majesty’s Govern­
ment that they would assist him in obtaining a solution of the difficulty
which would be satisfactory to him and in accord with their own interests.
In April, however, having received reports of Turkish military preparations
and fearing active measures by them to coerce him in the case of further
delay, he agreed to meet a Turkish commission in the neighbourhood of
Kuwait for discussion, and a few days before this meeting took place
he was informed by the Political Agent that His Majesty’s Government
had no objection to direct negotiations taking placo between him and the
Turks. He nevertheless held out for his rights at the conference, and no
agreement resulted, but subsequently being presented with an offer of more
generous terms, and being assured moreover that some of thorn would not he
enforced, he consented to a settlement, the exact details of which have not yet
come to light.
Unfortunately this agreement led to some coldness between 'Sir Mubarak
and Bin Saud with the result that correspondence between them on the
subject of Bin Saud’s position ceased for a time. The Amir considered. that
Sir Mubarak had led him to entertain vain hopes and then deserted him at
a critical moment, and the Shaikh held that Bin Saud had deceived him by
coming to an agreement with Turkey without first consulting him.
The majority of the terms of the agreement were certainly never carried
into effect whatever they may havo been, and Bin Saud’s. regard for His
Majesty’s Government was fortunately not affeoted by his disappointment
at not receiving the support for which ho had hoped. . Upon the outbreak of
War with Germany he shewed at onco that liis sympathies were with us. By
October the probability of the Turks making common oause with Germany and
tho prospect of an opportunity finally to sover his connection, with the Porta
still furthor enticed him to throw in his lot with the British Government,
and from this time ho resolutely declined repeated requests for help which came
from Constantinople. Whon War betwcon England and Turkcy became