Page 102 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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" We remit for the decision of Her Majosty’s Government, Lieutonant-Coloncl Mend's
sngffestion that diplomnfic action should be taken with a view to an oarly understanding with
the Porte in respect to the status of Kowoit. The position at Basrah appears to bo buoTj that
should no understanding of this nature be arrived at, serious complications may at no distunt
dH60 ensue botweon tho Local Turkish authorities and ourselves".

XI.—Turkish attempts to exercise sovereign rights in Koweit by
appointing a harbour master and opening a custom house. A
forward Turkish policy advocated. The British Government’s
protest, July—September 1899.
93. Tho point, referred to in the Government of India's despatch last
quoted was referred to the British Ambassador at Constantinople.
91. Further reports received, however, from the Consul at Basrah induced
Sir N. O'Conor (No. 328, dated the 6th
Prtcii of information in Socrct £., March 1901,
Not. 67 and 08. J uly 1899) to think it possiblo that the
Sultan might himself broach the sub­
ject of Koweit; and he suggested that in that case, while avoiding as far
as possiblo a definite statement respecting the independence of Koweit, he
might say that it would be a satisfactory arrangement for both England and
Turkey if the Sultan would agree not to cede any of his rights in those parts to
other power. This proposal was approved, subject to a limitation proposed by
the India Offico (18th July 1899) that nothing should he seid which might
hamper us giving effect to our obligations under tho Koweit Agreement (to Sir
N. O’Conor, dated 25th July 1899).
95. Before, howover, this permission could bo acted upon, reports were
recoivcd from the Consul at Basrah, that
Secret E„ February 1P00. Not. 77*82.
tho Turks had appointed a harbour master
to Koweit; that Sheikh had declined to receive him ; that a renewed attempt
to appoint a native of Koweit as harbour master had been ordored from Cons­
tantinople ; and that the Turkish military authories were advocating strong
measures. It was also rumoured that the Turks proposed to establish a custom
house at Koweit and open a telegraph line from Fao to Katif through Koweit.
96. The India Office (7th September 1899) in view of the erabarassmont
which might he caused by acquiescence in such an exercise of the rights of sover­
eignty by the Porte, recommended to the Foreign Office that Turkish Government
should he informed that Her Majesty’s Government had entered into engage­
ments with the Sheikh of Koweit as an independent ruler, and wore not dis­
posed to recognise any infringement of his independence; or, at least, that it
should be intimated that tho authority of no Turkish official at Koweit whould
ho recognised. The Foreign Offico thereupon instructed Sir N. O’Conor to
warn the Porte at once that, while Her Majesty’s Government had themselves
no designs on Koweit, they had friendly relations with the Sheikh ; and that a
very inconvenient and disagreeable question would be raised if an attempt
were made to establish Turkish authority or customs control of Koweit without
previous agreement with Her Majesty's Government. At the samo time they
requested the Admiralty to send a ship to Koweit to protect the Sheikh against
overt acts of aggression by the Turkish authorities; but, on receipt of a tele­
gram from Sir N. O’Conor representing the inexpediency of this latter step in
the existing circumstances, H M. S Sphinx was ordered merely to call at
Koweit and proceed without making any stay.
97. In his despatch No. 410 of the 13th September 1899, Sir N. O’Conor
reported that he had carried out liis instructions, and had received an assurance
from the Minister for Foreign AtVairs that no further attempt would be made to
insist upon the appointment of the harbour master; that tho Ottoman Govern-
mont had no intention of establishing a custom house at Koweit .* aod that tho
do>p.'itch of a military expedition was not. in contemplation, as, though such an
expedition had been proposed by the Yali, the Sultan did not consider it worth
the risk or expense.