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of war and the Support winch was given to the Sheikh who maintained his loyalty to his agree­
ment with His Majesty*8 Government Now, however, his position has again become difficult ?
the Turkish advances arc apparently intended to constitute a direct menace to K owe it and
Busrnh and presumably must affect adversely the interests of the people of Kowoit and conse­
quently diminish the popularity of the Sheikh while strengthening the hands of bis enemies.
Cloaily therefore, it seems to me, if wo wish to maintain our hold over Koweit, the presence of
Ilis Majesty's ships at Kowoit as a direct support to the Sheikh must he continued for an
indefinite period. The Government of India will, I am sure, understand that. I have no desire
to criticise the decision to which Ilis Majesty’s Government have come with regard to the
occupation of these places by the Turks, but I feel it incumbent on me to lay before the
Government my views as to the effect which is likely to result from the Turkish movements
and of the alteration on tho status quo which has, in my opinion, actually taken place.
From the information which has reached me from His Majesty's Consul at Basrah, and
which was embodied in my telegram of the leth March, regarding the expected despatch of
Turkish sappers to Bubiyan, it is, 1 think, evident that the importance of the Khor Abdullah
has been recognized by the Turks.
With regard to the place Ilejcjo referred to in my telegram, dated tho 14th March, I am
informed by the Senior Naval Officer that this place is on the Kowoit side of tho Khor Subbi-
ya four miles north of Subbiya and seven miles from the mouth of the Kh->r. The Sheikh
sfcatos that some of his people always live there, and that the place belongs to him, though it
was apparently deserted when Commander Kemp recently visited the Khor in His Majesty's
ship “ Sphinx.” .Mubarak has, in accordance with my advice, occupied the place, and it
seems improbable that the Turks will advance in the direction if they find the place already
occupied. The Sheikh’s claim to this place and also to Subbya, independently' of his relations
with Turkey, may perhaps bo not much stronger than his claims to Um-Kasr and Bubiyan, but
their occupation by the Turks would undoubtedly cause him great anxiety, and I am of opinion
that his claims to them should be uphold. It must be remembered that Mubarak has in
deference to tho advice of the naval authorities promised not to add to the complications of the
situation by offering any active opposition to the Turkish advance, and that otherwise the
Turkish posts at Um Knsr and Bubiyan might not have boon left unmolested. This face may
perhaps enable His Majesty's Government to warn the Porte while there is yet time that the
Koweit shore of the Khor Subah must not bo encroached upon ”.
240. After considering the question,* the Secretary of State telegraphed on No. 395.
tho 26th March:—
“ Instructions have been sent to O'Conor to address Porlo in following seoso regarding
Koweit:—Begins.— His Majesty’s Government liavo acknowledged Koweit to be part of the
Ottoman dominions, and do not desire to cncourago Sheikh to throw off allegiance to the
Sultan. They are. however, bound to support him against encroachment, but are not disposed
to raise irritating discussion about movements of Turkish troops to places to which Sheikh’s
title would be difficult to prove. They do not wish to obstruct prolongation of Bagdad
Hallway to Gulf, whether at Koweit or elsewhere ; but their assislvnce is conditional upon
British capital receiving at least equal shares with any other powers in respect of construe«
lion, materials and management. This condition is based upon tho necessity for British
financial co-operation and on predominant British interests iu commerce of Gulf, which has
been opened in the past and must in future be safeguarded by British efforts. British
co-operation will be necessary to secure good-will of Koweit Sheikh and to rcstraiu piracy at
whatever arrive (? approach) the tormiuus may be placed. Ends.’’
240-A. The communication made by Sir N. O’Conor to tho Porte was
reported by him in his Despatch dated 28th March (vide Appendix I.)
241. His Excellency tho Viceroy then wired to the Secretary of State on No. 39G.
29th March 1902 :—
“ Your telegram of 26th March, Koweit. Wc do not understand policy of His Majesty’s
Government. Does acknowledgment of Koweit as part of Ottoman dominions involve
abandonment of position hitherto taken up, and defined in Lord Lansdowne’s lettert to Sir F.
Lascellcs of 12th September 1901, as one in large measure of practical independence, and
by O’Conor in his letter to Lord Lansdowne of 10th Scptcmbcrf 1901? Further, when inten­
tion is declared of supporting Sheikh against encroachment, what encroachment and where is
it meant? Are wo to resist the Turkish advance on Koweit side of Khor Subah? Theso
questions may assume practical shape at any moment, and we shall be grateful for more explicit
instructions, since status quo is in danger of being whittled out of existence ”.
242. In reply the Secretary of State in his telegram, datod 8th April 1902,
explained the moaning of their messago of 26th March :—
“Foreign Office points out that no new departure was indicated by instructions to O’Conor
of 24th March. What was contemplated was merely to preface statement of the view of Ilis
• Vide Appondix I.
t Vide Appendix H.