Page 106 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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culled on him again at night and he received them in the presence of some of tho principal
men of Koweit. They explained to thoso present. tho nature of their intentions as regards
the uxteusi n of the railway to Koweit, the facilities it would afford to trade, tho dovelop.
ment of the place, and tho general benefit it -would he to every one. Tint on’ the following
morning early they had a confidential interview with him. They told him they had a con.
cession from the Sultan of Turkey to build railways in his dominions, the Sultan has vast
vested interest in the concern, and has guaranteed it, to make it a success they desire to extend
the line of Knthama Bay, they wanted to hay Kathama right out, and obtain on lease Chawai.
chib and At Aghthi ; that their present visit was only lor the puipose of conveying to him
the German Ambassado's greetings and, to trv and come to 6omo understanding as
regards the land mentioned, they wished to obtain his co-operation and support, and they also
desire him to use his friendly iufiucuco with the numerous Arab Shoikhs, through whoso
territories, in tho Euphrates valley, tho line will pass, and induce them to co-operate with tho
Company as they believed he had authority and influence over them. That would he
handsomely paid for any land purchased, and leased, and that they will satisfy the petty tribes
and Sheikhs who claim the lands for grazing purposes. That the trade of the plaec will
increase extensively, and consequently his revenue will improve considerably, and the value of
property will go up twenty-fold. That the place will hecomo tho centre of trade, in fact
another Bombay, and that there will he plenty of work for everybody. That a line of large
merchant vessels wdl bo established to feed the railway, and for conveyance of cargo and
passengers. That if he comes to an arrangement with the Railway Company and agrees
to their proposals he and his successors will hare the support of Germany, both bf land and
water, and a man-of-war will be stationed at the place for its protection.
Sheikh Mubarak declared that, in reply, he told them that he did not understand whether
they had come on their own account or on behalf of the Sultan, if ou behalf of the Sultan,
t hen he would have given them a letter to him. That he do.«ir*d them to understand that
he only acknowledged the Sultan of Turkey as the head of the Mahomedan world, and does not
consider himself a subject of Turkey, and does not acknowledge Turkish sovereignly over Koweit
territory ; and if any demands are made to him by the Sultan they will be rejected. That,
on the other hand, neither he or the Arabs wish foreigners to obtain a footing in their territory,
and he will not agree to th«-ir proposals as the Arabs will not, consent to their plains and grafting
grounds being absorbed by foreigners for a railway, also he could not guarantee the safety
of the line, or be tespousihle for any bloodshed as the Arabs are a free and an independent
people. As regards his using his influence over the other Arab Sheikhs, he told them that
bis nominal authority was limited to the district of Koweit, and he had no influence or
authority over the Arab Chiefs in the Euphrates valley, be therefore cannot help them.
Sheikh Mularak further stated that after hearing his reply the Germans told him that
they were very anxious to come to an amicable understanding with him,and obtain bis friendly
support, that they were returning overland to Constantinople, to arrange matters, and from
there, the German Ambassador will either communicate by letter to him the final terms they
wish to make, or else depute a special person to arrange terms with him.
The German finally offered him presents, which he refused saying that he never accepted
presents from guests."
115-A. Vide Appendix E, as to the communication made at Constantinople
about the British policy. A complete account of the progress of the projected
German Railway will be found in the Precis of Turkish Arabia.

XV.—Proposal to make Koweit a Port of call for Mail steamers,
July 1900—June 1901-
116. In July 1900 an attempt was made to establish a weekly call at Koweit
of tho British India Company’s steamers. Mr. Lyle, an Agent of Messrs. Gray
Mackenzie and Co., of Basrah, was well received by the Sheikh, who made
however, the important stipulation that the call of steamers should not bring
with it the establishment of quarantine. The Turkish authorities, who were
paying much attention to Koweit, would almost cortainly enforce at that place,
as at Basrah, a ten days* quarantine against arrivals from all ports other than
Turkish. It was generally agreed that this extension of quarantine would both
be ruinous to the trade ot' Koweit and undesirable as increasing the influence
of Turkey in tho Gulf. Colonel Kcmball further pointed out that, in tho event
of Iler Majesty’s Government making successful representations to the 1 orto
against a quarantine for Koweit, the Sheikh would ho subjected to a
system of reprisals and his town treated as a foreign port (a similar difficulty
having already presented itself in connection with the Shoikh’s property in
Turkish territory).
117. The question was solved for the moment by tho Sheikh withdrawing
his consent to tho scheme. The withdrawal was not, however, conveyed m very
decided tenns, the compulsion of extraneous influence was apparent an i
seemed to Lieutenant-Colonel Kcmball that his objections would ho remo
at a future date.