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left Baghdad for Basrah on the 19th April, followod on the next day by Turkish
troops. It was generally boliovod that tho Ottoman Government intondod to
make use of force with a view to tho deposition of Mubarak.
141. A British gun-boat, tho “ Sphinx u was ordcrod to Kowoit, and Sir N.
O’Couor was definitely authorised, in tho event of hostilities being resumed, to
warn tho Porte “ to refruin from any action against tho Sheikh in view of our
arrangement with him.”
142. But tho astuto policy of Mohsin Pasha again prevented matters from
coming to a head. The Turkish Pield
Noi. 199—203 nnd 217 of Proceeding* cited.
Marshal stopped short of Kowoit, and tho
Vali himself, with a small escort, paid a friondly visit to tho Sheikh on 19th
May. He was unablo to onforco proposals for tho establishment of a Turkish
garrison, but Mubarak accompanied him to Fao, renewed his protestations to
the Sultan, and returned to Koweit after a second act of apparently spontane­
ous loyalty. This happened on 25th—2Gth May.
143. So far as tho Amir was concerned tho crisis was now passed. The
Turkish Government guided by the advice of Vali Mohsin Pasha, gave no
encouragement to the Amir. Disgusted with the Turks, the Amir sought
British protection, while Sheikh Mubarak requested through the commander of
the “ Sphinx ” that tho British Government should assume permanent protec­
torate over Koweit as soon as possible. We shall treat of these matters in tho
next section (see Colonel Kemball's tele­
No. 217 of Proceeding* cited.
gram dated 1st Juno 1901).

XVIIL—(1) Ibn Rashid seeks British Protection.(2) Sheikh Mubarak
asks for assumption of permanent British protectorate over Koweit.

May—June 1901.

144. In May 1901 overtures were made to Mr. Wratislaw on bohalf of
lbn Rashid. lie sent envoy by name
No. 194 of Secret E.( October 1901, No*. 181.315.
Pah ad Fashe, who sent a message to
Mr. Wratislaw to the effect that the Turkish Government had been playing
fast and lose for a year past and that his master’s patience had been worn
out by their duplicity. He wished thereforo to bo taken under the British
protcotion on the same terms as Sheikh Mubarek, on certain conditions.
Mr. Wratislaw reported the matter by telegram to Sir N. O’Conor who repeat­
ed the telegram to the Foreign Office expressing his own opinion. Tho Secre­
tary of State for India then sent the following message to the Government of
India on tho 1st of J uno 1901—
" Amirof Nejd asks for British portcction on the
No. 219 of Secxot E., Juno 1901.
following conditions
Deposition of Sheikh of Koweit in favour of
Not. 118—230. hie nephew aud supply of arms to Amir of
Nejd at his own oost. Amir of Nejd would leave us control over Koweit and guarantee safe
construction of railways through Arabia. O'Conor, while recognising Amir of Ncjd's demand
as impracticable, suggests that we must, not alienate his sympathy, and that wo might insist
on Mubarak giving some satisfaction. Should tho latter consent and also ask for our protec­
tion against Nejd, O'Conor considers, our position. would bo strengthened without offending
Turkey. Foreign Office invito views in the matter.”
145. His Excollcncy tho Viceroy then telegraphed to tho Secretary of
State (telegram datod, the 8th J une 1901)
'* Your telegram of tho 1st Juno. Situation at Koweit is somewhat altered by recent
No. HO of corrt.pond.aco oltcd. clpUin ol^iL h^bterii’sw'lith'1 Sheikh,
28th May, at which Sheikh requested that British Government would assume per-

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