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With rofcrenco 7th instant Sphinx when visiting Khar Suhhiya found Subbiya occupied
by Mubarak’s men. Therefore advance of Turks to llejcjc and Subbiya can hardly be regarded
other than as disturbance of status quo, whatever view is held about Um-Kasr.

(9) Telegram P„ dated 87th Maroh 1902. No. 319.
From—Tho Sccrotary of Stato,
To—His Excollcnoy tho Viceroy, Calcutta.
Admiralty communicates reports that Kemball has advised Sheikh of Koweit to occupy
Hejeje in order to forestall Turkey. Foreign Office considers that advice of questionable ex­
pediency aud doubts whether Turkish advance to llejcjc caa bo called encroachment.

(10) Telegram, dated tho 16th Maroh 1902. No 436.
From—'Tho Political Rosidont in tho Persian Gulf, Buahiro,
To—Tho Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
u My telegram of 14th March, Koweit. Wratislaw telegraphs that all the Turkish
Sappers in Basrah, about eighty in number, are ordered to leave for Fao and thence most of
them to Bubiyau. Your telegram ]4th March has been received. Sheikh will, I fear.be
m uch concerned at the decision to allow Bubiyan to remain in possession of Turks. He considers
his right to this place undoubted, and its occupation by Turks will make his position as Sheikh
Koweit more difficult. His loyalty to us has, I believe, not bcon ontirely popular in Koweit,
and there is Turkish party in place whose influence will increase as Sheikh's position becomes
more difficult. He is, I believe, firm, ready and anxious to remain loyal to us, but as matters
are now going he may be Forced to make terms with Turks who are apparently working with
this end in view. Turkish advances have, it seems to me, altered status quo in that position ;
Sheikh is thereby affectod and his authority at Koweit weakened. Further, it will be essential,
so far as lean sec, for our fhips of war to remain indefinitely if our hold over Sheikh is to bo
maintained. It is advisable that I should receive instructions whether Koweit shores of Khor
Subah may bo considered within Sheikh’s limits. Sheikh has been advised not to actively
opposo Turks if they advance to llejcjc, which is practically same place as Subah, but to leave
settlement of the questiou of his frontier with us. Subah is seven miles distant from mouth
of Khor, and we may, in viow of recent decision, not consider ourselves able to maintain
Sheikh’s authority over it.
O’Conor has been instructed to remonstrate against tho advance as tending to disturb
the country and impeding our effort, in accordance with agreement with Porte, to keep
Sheikh quiet."
233. Upon this His Excellency tho Viceroy repeated the Political Resi­
dent’s message of loth March (above
No. 350.
quoted) to tho Secretary of State as also
another one about the decisiou of the Easrah Court in regard to the Pao
estates and observed :—
lf These telegrams crossed your telegram of 14th. Your telegram of 17th since received.
Views of Foreign Office appear to us unsound: and, unless Sheikh is to be squeezed out alto-
gethcr, it seems essential to retain for him Koweit shores of Khor- Subah. It is serious
enough that he should lose Bubyan Island ; but if Hejeje and Subah arc to go too, Kathama
Bay will follow suit, and Turks will be in immediate vicinity of Koweit. In these circum­
stances Sheikh will have no alternative except to mako terms with Turks, and our entire policy
will be uullificd. Advance of Turks is unquestionable violation of status quo, siucc they have
never before been in places now being occupied. Should we not, therefore, inform both Turks
and Sheikh that Koweit shores of Klior Subah are considered to be within Sheikh's limits
and that encroachment will not be permitted ?"
234. On 21th March the Secretary of
No. 3S0.
Stato telegraphed:—
'* Hie Majcsty’6 Government arc considering* the whole question of Koweit, and aro
addressing the Porte on tho subject. Pondiug a decisiou instruct Kemball to do nothin",
by advico or otherwise, to cncourago Sheikh to occupy positions beyond those now held by
him."
235. These instructions were duly repeated to tho Political Resident.
• Vide Appendix I.

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