Page 122 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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XXII.—Attempt to take the Sheikh of Koweit to Constantinople
.. November and December 1901. *
176. Wo have read above the solemn assurances givon by the Porto in the
month of September 1901 to maintain the status quo at Koweit and not to
send troops to that place. ITis Majesty’s Government were apparently satisfied
with those assurances. But it wasovident within 3 months from the dato they
were given that the Turkish Government never intended to abide by them.
They continued to concentrate troops on the Euphrates, while tho Amir of Nejd
was moving towards Koweit evidently under a concerted plan with tho Turks,
waiting only for their orders and a good opportunity for an attack on that town.
Iu November ho had occupied Safwan—within 16 hours’ march from Koweit.
There was considerable alarm in Koweit and the Sheikh asked for tho presence
of additional gun boats in Koweit harbour, a request which was complied
with. A few weeks only had passed from the. date of this incident, when
the Nakib of Basrah visited Koweit and handed to Mubarak a telegram
purporting to have emanated from Constantinople, to tho effect that Mubarak’s
assertion of his independence was disapproved by the Sultan, and that punish-
xnont must ensue, unless he made his submission to tho Turkish Government.
177. To this communication, Mubarak, after consultation with the Senior
Naval Officer, repliod to tho effect that his relations with the Turkish Govern­
ment were the same as they had always been. Later on, a representation being
made by our Ambassador at Constantinople, this telegram and the action of
the Nakib of Basrah were disavowed by tho Porto.
178. Tho Nakib of Basrah then took a bold step to force the hands of the
Not. 223*286 of Secrol E., March 1903, No*. Sheikh of Koweit. About the close of
127*367. the month of Novombor the Sheikh of
Koweit’s agent came to know that tho Nakib was going to leave Eao for
Koweit with a threatening message from the Sultan and that an attempt would
be made to carry away the Sheikh to Constantinople. His Majesty’s ships
Redbreast and Sphinx were at the time in Koweit Bay, and tho Rotnone at
Beshar, with Captain Simons, Senior Naval Officer on board. Colonel Kemball
when apprized of the intended manoeuvres of the Turks, asked Captain Simona
by telegram on 30th November to proceed to Koweit. The Romone arrived
at Koweit at noon on 1st December, while tho Sphinx had left tho day before
for Bushire for instructions from Colonel Kemball. The Turkish ship the Zuhaf
.arrived at Koweit two hours afterwards. There was the usual exchange of
courtesies. Lieutenant Hand, the first Lieutenant, visited tho Nakib. Captain
Simon then left on a boat for the Zuhaf, but met t.he'Nakib, when he was on
his way to the shore.
179. The Turkish Officer of tho guard returnod Lieutenant Hand’s visit, but
the Nakib did hot return Captain Simons’ visit.
On the same day the Sheikh informed Captain Simons that tho Nakib had
8m c.DUin simcB.’ Report, Fro. Ko. 27o;o! Secret presented liim with a tetter containing
e, No*. 127-357. telegraphic orders from the Sultan that
•he must either go to Constantinople to.be member of the Council of State on a
high salary, or leave Koweit and live elsewhero on a pension given him, and
requesting an early reply. Tho Sheikh was very much upset at this, the second
threatening telegram ho had received recently from the Sultan, though his
Agent at Basrah had forewarned him some days before about it; and he had
written on the 30th November by tho “ Sphinx ” to the Political Resident,
Bushire, asking what he was to say, if such a message came and if the British
Government would help him, and stating that if the British Government did
not check and stop the action of the Turks, he would have to join them. The
Captains of the Romone and Redbreast visited the Sheikh, and informed him
that he would undoubtedly be supported ; but he was much depressed and
said that, although he wished for a British protectorate and to carry out his
agreement with the British, ho had not yet got any definite assurance from the
Political Resident at Bushire, in writing, that the British Government would
protect him ; and if he did not got one, ho would have to make terms with the
Turks, whoso troops were close to, and of whom ho was afraid. Eventual y
on Captain Simons’ advice he decided not to reply at once, but to ask for some
days to consider his answer, during which a reply to his letter of the 30tu lrom
tho Resident would arrive, and the British Government could bo communicate
with by telegram, and au answer received.

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