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01 Koweit districts—see Lord l.ansdowne6 memorandum of 2ibL March l‘J02. Plcaac telo*
graph whether you have any further directions, ami whether this is approved ".
No. 188. 271. The Secrotary of State approved of tho roply proposed to bo given to
tho Sheikh, provided that Koweit district is clearly defined as the distriot ad-
joining or close to the May of Koweit (telegram, da tod 14th October 1902).
No. 274. 272. The message was conveyed to the Sheikh hy Captain Ilunt on behalf
of the Resident, tho Sheikh appears to have felt very much disappointed but
promised to abide by. the advieo of Government.
“ Captain Hunt informed the Sheikh, in accordance with Colonel Kcmball’s directions,
that, so for as Sheikh YubuI was concerned, both the Resident at Husliirc and His Majesty's
Consul at Jlusruh had reported his hostile attitude towards tho Sheikh of Koweit to the British
Government, and that it was hoped that means would be found to prevent him from doin'*
further mischief; that, as regards tho Sheikh's properties near Kao, it was not easy for llis
Majesty's Government to interfere, but that the Sheikh might be sure that what was possible
ou his behalf would bo done, while, as regards Koweit itself, the Sheikh had every reason to
be satisfied with the protection which had been afforded to him by tho British Government,
and that tho intoniion of the Government to continue this protection w.os evident from the
message which was conveyed to him. The Sheikh acknowledged that tho British Govern­
ment had dono much for him, but it was evident that he was not entirely satisfied and con­
sidered that more might havo been done for him."

XXXII.—Threatened attack on Koweit from Mubarak’s nephews
and Sheikh Yusuf-el-Ibrahim. The “ Lapwing ” case.
September 1902—January 1903.
273. In Juno 1902, Mr. Wratislaw roccived overtures from Yusuf-cl-Ibra-
him of Dara, who had espoused the cause of
No. US of Secret E., October 1902, Noi. 11.41.
his nephews against Sheikh Mubarak for
a peaceablo settlement of tlicir disputes. Mr. Wratislaw thought that Yusuf’s
claims were large, and doubted whother Mubarak would be able to pay them
up—even if lie wore willing to do so. Rinding be could expect to get no
satisfaction from Mubarak, Yusuf made preparations to attack the Sheikh’s terri­
tory and lands. He raided Subich and carried off several of tho Sheikh’s camels
and property.
274. On tho 3rd September Colonel Kcmball received a telegram from
the clerk in charge at Pao that the two sons of Mahomed, the late Sheikh
of Koweit, with 200 armed men had left Dora tho previous night with
the object of attacking Koweit. The Resident despatched tho Lawrence
to forewarn tho Sheikh. Mcanwhilo it appears that the Commander of tho
Lapwing, Captain Armstrong, having been apprised of the intended attack
on Koweit, had proceeded to Koweit Bay, where he learnt, in confirmation
of his information, that two suspicious
No. 213 of Secret E. Octolar 1902, No*. 11-41.
dhows had been seen. He thereupon
anchored at the entrance of Khor Abdullah, visiting all dhows passing. On the
morning of tho 5th September two suspicious dhows full of armed men were
seen. They refused to stop when hailed, and threatened to fire on tho “ Lap­
wing's ” boat, wheroupon all boats gave chase, and finally dhows ran ashore on
the Persian Coast. Tho Arabs landed and fired on the boats. One blue jacket
was killed and two wounded, but the boats eventually succeeded in getting the
two dhows off. Enemy’s loss estimated at six from return fire of boats.
275. Tho two dhows belonged, there was little doubt, in the opinion of
Captain Armstrong and Mr. Wratislaw, to Dora, and were intended for a raid on
Koweit or its neighbourhood, had the Sheikh been found unprepared.
! 27G. Colonel Kcmball thought that tho Turkish authorities could easily, if
theycared to do so, restrain Sheikh Yusuf and that it was probablo that ho ^as
receiving secret encouragement at their hands. Twelve of tho men, who na
been in the dhows, were capturod in Mohammerah, and it was cloar that one o