Page 289 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

47

CHAPTER VI.
Administration Report of the Kuwait Political Agency for the year 1934.
I.—Personal.
(a) LI.-Colonel II. R. P. Hickson, C.I.E., I.A., held charge of the Political
Agency throughout the year under review, except for the period IGth June to
Kith October when Major R. P. Watts, I.A., held charge.
(b) Assistant Surgeon A. L. Grecnwny, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., I.M.H., was in
medical charge of 1 ho Charitable Dispensary and performed the duties of
Quarantine Medical Oflicer throughout'the year.

II.—2'he Ruling Family.
(a) For a historical survey of the State of Kuwait, previous Administra­
tion Reports should he consulted as space does not permit of this being done
here.
(b\ The Ruler His Excellency Shaikh Sir Ahmad al Jabir al Subah,
K.C.I.E., C.S.I., has managed his State during the year under review with his
usual ability and success, and as time goes on tends more and more to copy the
methods and policy of his famous grandfather, Shaikh Mubarak al Subah, who,
it has been justly said, possessed one of the shrewdest political brains the Middle
East has ever produced.
(c) The Shaikh has maintained correct and friendly official relations with
his two powerful neighbours, the Kingdom of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, lying to
the North and South of his Kingdom respectively, in spite of the uncompvomiz-
ing altitude of the former in the matter of the Al Subah Date Gardens on the
Slmtt al Arab and their so called anti-smuggling policy and the steadily main­
tained land Blockade by the forces of II. M. King Bin Saud.
III.—The Political AgenVs Relations with the Shaikh.
(a) The relations between H. M.’s Political Agent and the Ruler, as in
previous years, have continued to be of a most cordial and satisfactory nature,
and the friendly liaison existing between them has been as near perfection ns
could be desired. This has been especially noticeable in matters connected with
Kuwait’s foreign relations, where the Ruler has more and more shown a keen
desire to keep touch with and consult the Political Agent in any matter that
might eventually involve His Majesty’s Government.
(b) In the internal administration of the Town and State, the Politica1
Agent has continued to interfere as little as possible, though this has not neces­
sarily meant his losing touch of events. This policy has and continues to work
well, for the Ruler is flattered and pleased to think that he is being allowed to
” run his own show ” without, undue interference (a very big thing in the eyes
of the proud Arab) and at the same time he is astute enough to know that he
would liavc no chance alone, against the clever politicians of Iraq and Saudi
Arabia, and so is ever ready to discuss and seek advice in his relations with these
States.
IV.—Local Interests.
(a) Customs.—1. A full report on the imports and exports for the venr
will be found in the “ Kuwait Trade Report ”, a non-confidential publication.
2. The Director of Customs, Yusuf bin Jassim al Yacub, continues to dr.
satisfactory work and to enjoy the full confidence pf the Ruler.
3. Tn actual practice the Ruler runs his own Customs himself, the Director
confining himself to checking and auditing of accounts, collecting dues, hoarding
of steamers and landing of cargoes. This is not an altogether had feature of
the administration, seeing that"” Customs receipts ” form practically the only
source of Revenue available to the State, and if not most carefully watched mid
checked, would show even greater shrinkage than has been the case in the last
decade.
4. It should not he forgotten also that in the ” depressed ” times that, have
existed and still do exist, many of the Shaikh’s closest relatives, are for ovor in
L«213FD