Page 578 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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VI. FOREIGN RELATIONS.
(a) Saudi Arabia.—King Ibn Saud sent a private invitation to tlio Ruler
of Kuwait to visit him in the now palace at Riyadh. The Ruler replied that
if ho could, ho would visit him about the last week in liamadhan, but event,
ually tho visit was postponed until the spring of 1939.
(b) Tho Saudi trade blockade of Kuwait continued throughout tho year
Towards tho close of the year, however, tho Saudi Government took up a moro
reasonable attitude in tho negotiations on the subject, and there were hones
of the settlement of this long-standing question. ^
(c) Aftermath of the Ikliwan Revolt, 1928-30.—Shaikh Multaq as Sur of
the Mutair received tho King Ibn Saud’s pardon and invitation to roturn
to him. He loft Kuwait for Riyadh on the 23rd May, after somn s
years exile m Kuwait.
Iraq.—One case of incursion by Iraqi police cars into Kuwait territory in
the neighbourhood of Qashaniya and Hanibiyah occurred in Juno. No satis-
faction was forthcoming from tho Iraqi Government in reply to the nrotMst
made in regard to it.

VII. PRESS.
The Iraqi Press continued to publish hostile attacks on Kuwait during
the year. In this connection the Shaikh of Kuwait having complained
especially against the paper A1 Sejil of Basrah, the Iraq Government authorised
its postal authorities to refuse to accept it for transmission to Kuwait.

VIII. OIL.
The difficulty found in boring the well at Burgan, 35 miles south of Kuwait
Town, owing to fissures, with consequent loss of mud circulation, has been
overoome. On the 13th October, oil was struck in No. 2 well of a similar quali­
ty and depth (3,750 feet) to that found some-time before in No. 1 well in the
same neighbourhood. Pressure is also likely to be about the same and
prospects for oil development in Kuwait are now definitely bright.
His Highness the Shaikh was invited to witness the Burgan well producing
oil.
IX. ROYAL NAVY.

His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief on board H.M.S. Norfolk visited
Kuwait between the 1st and 3rd December. The Ruling family and the
notables of the place were invited by His Excellency to visit him and see the
ship. These visits to the ship were very much appreciated.
Various other visits were paid by His Majesty’s ships, sloops of the Per­
sian Gulf Division, during the year.

X. ROYAL AIR FORCE.
(a) Aircrafts of the Royal Air Force landed at Kuwait as usual in the
course of their ordinary routine duties during the year under review.
(b) A bomber-transport aircraft with petrol nearly exhausted landed on
the 7th July on the shore ten miles south of Kuwait Town without any damage.
The Political Agent went to the spot and rendered assistance.
(c) Exercises with Kuwait forces.—During the year under review, an exer­
cise in co-operation with tho Shaikh’s forces was carried out near Kuwait
by No. 4 Section Armoured cars from Shaiba under Wing Commander T. E.
Ivons. Aircraft of No. 84 Squadron was also present for the operation, the
value of which was very much appreciated by the Ruling family and the
notables of Kuwait.

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