Page 124 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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. 1V18& '“ Redbreast” returned on the 6th with the Admiralty telegram
of the 4 th December, winch was road (o the Sheikh, and which gavo him creat
satisfaction ; and subsequently tho “ Sphinx ’’roturnod on the 7th with a letter
for the Sheikh from tho Resideut embodying tho substance of tho tolegrain, and
which ho read to all his principal men. °
186. The telegram referred to of 4.-th December was tho message of tho Sec­
retary of Stnto repeated to the Admiral, dated 4th December 1901, which was a
reply to^His Excollcncy tho Viceroy’s tolcgram of 3rd Dccembor, reporting tho

187. His Excellency the Viceroy suggested that tho Sheikh should bo in­
formed as stated in Foreign OfTico telegram dated tho 10th August—British
Government will not tolerato attack by Turkish forces on Koweit and will if
necessary use force to prevent it. Ho can thcroforo rely upon our support if
he continues to observe engagement with us and follows our advice, which is in
this instauco, that ho should refuso the Sultan’s invitation to Constantinople.”
It 8. The Secretary of State replied on
Ko. 225 of Secret E., March 1303, Noe. 127-357.
4th Decomber 1901, as follows :—
“ Your telegram of the 3rd December. Inform Sir Arthur Hardiogo’s question of Sultan's
right over Koweit was discussed with the Porto in September last, and that wo then received
from His Majesty a distinct assurance that ho entirely rospects the status quo at Koweit and
abstains from sending troops there. There can bo no reason for fresh assertion of Sultan's
rights or for attempt to further define them, which, if not snpcrfiuos, must clearly involve
alteration. The action of tkeNakib appears to constitute distinct violation of Sultan's
promise, and in thes9 circumstances His Majesty’s Government aro prepared to sup­
port Sheikh, and will not tolerate an attack by Turkish troops or ship's on Kaweit.
Sheikh should not leave Koweit and should continue to observe his engagemeuts with
us. A communication has been addressed to the l’ortc complaining of Nakib's conduct and
demanding that lie he instructed to desist from exercising pressure upon the Sheikh of Koweit."
189. Representations were duly made to the Porte about the Nakib’s
action—but both the Porte and the Palace disavowed all knowledge of the
Nakib’s mission, and the Foreign Minister stated that the Sheikh’s prosenoe in
Constantinople would be most embarrassing, and that there was no intention to
send force to Koweit or to disturb in any way the stains quo.
190. There was about this timo a report in tbo newspapers that the British
Naval Officers had during the recent imbroglio hauled down tho Turkish flag
and ordered the Sheikh to fly an independent flag.
191. The Political Resident was asked to report and replied
“ There is no truth in the report. On 4th December Senior Naval Officer,
toho was on shore, had occasion to make a singal to ship and for this purpose
used, with the permission of the Sheikh, Sheikh's flag staff, on which sema­
phore flag was hoisted".
The facts are related in paragraph 184 above.

XXIII.—Alarm at Koweit and Landing of British guns-
December 1901—Janury 1902.

192. At the closo of December 1901 there was again a great deal of alarm
on account of a threatened attack of the Amir and tho Turks on Kowoit. Ine
Political Resident telegraphed to Calcutta on 28th December :—
" Following telegram was received from Wratislaw to-day :—Amir with part °f hi*
is fifteen miles from Basrah and in constant communication with VVali aod Mushir. I is g
lias sent him seventy tons of provisions. Sultan has ordered present of, two t]hou6an £ _:4.
to be made him from provincial treasury which is empty. I hear himself atlac *s ^
after Ramzan. Wali and Mushir *pcnd hours daily at the telegraph office, l“nt .* .ca"
learn purport of thoir communication with Constantinople. 1 think it is desirable
forcements should bo sent by Admiral to Koweit." # __
19?. On the 1st January 1902 His Excellency Rear-Admiral Day H.
Bosanquct telegraphed from Trincomali:— __
“ Following telegram received from Senior Officer, Persian Gulf, Koweit, 29th c®®f? —
Consul at Bnsrah reported to Resident in the Persian Gulf on 27th December “ c0*m.
Amir of Nejd, with part of his force, is fifteon miles distant from Busrah m Sultan
munioation with Wali and Mushir. Ilis Agcut has bcuI him seventy tons or pi