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With regard to his complaints against tho Amir of Ncjd and the Turks for having encouraged
raids on his tribes, he must surely understand that it was not poFeiklo for His Majesty's Gov­
ernment to give him active support, but I felt sure that my Government had not ncglcctrd to
take such measures as woro possible in tho way of representations to tho Turkish Government
on his behalf. Sheikh Mubarak acknowledged that ho had real cause for gratiludo to Ilis
Majesty's Government for the support which had been given to him, but ho said that tho
Amir of Ncjd was now at a place called Hafer, which was some three days’ journey from
Koweit and within Koweit territory, and that his enemy, Yusuf-bin-Ibrahim, was with the
Amir. He said that, owing to his promise to the British Government, ho was debarred from
attacking the Amir, who was doing all ho could to injure him by raids and by detaching his
tribes from their allegiance to Koweit. I told the Sheikh that the advice which had been
given to him not to assume an aggressive attitudo against the Amir of Ncjd appeared to me
to be sound; that, as Mubarak had himself informed mo, the fortune of war appoared to be
going against the Amir whose power appeared to be on the decrease, and that, if Mubarak now
kept quiet, time would appear to be on his side, whereas, if lie now pursued an aggressive
policy, ho might get into difficulties from which it would bo difficult for His Majesty’s Gov­
ernment to extricate him. I told him at the same time that there could be no objection to
his taking the requisite measures for protecting his own territories, but 1 advised him not to
go further than this. Tho Sheikh appeared to acknowledge the justice of my remarks, and
again said that he had no intentiou of assuming tho offensive against the Amir. Jic then
6aid that his chief causes for dissatisfaction were that his enemy, Yusuf-bin-Ibrahira, had
been allowed to work against him with impunity and had not been brought to account, and
that the Wali of Basrah treated him with the grossest injustice in tho matter of his date
gardens neap Fao. With regard to the latter matter, he said that all he wanted was common
justice as might be enjoyed by other owners of property in Turkey, whereas all the Wall's
actions with’regard to his properties were actuated by spite, and on this accouut he had suffered
a loss of some 3,000 Turkish liras. Ho asked mo if I could not arrange that tho British
Consul at Basrah should befriend him in the event of his having to make any representations
to the Wali with regard to his properties. I tried to explain t> the Sheikh the difficulty in
tho way of our interference with regard to property situated within Turkish territory, but I
said that I would inform our Cousul at Basrah of what ho said. My interview with the
Sheikh was long and very friendly. He more than once repeated his protestations of loyalty
to the British Government, and his intention to abide by the advice which has been given to
him. H* spoke to mo about the visit of the Russian cruiser u Askold " to Kowoit, and told
mo that at the interview which he had with the Russian Consul from Basrah, who was on
board, only civilities were exchanged. Whether this was the case I cannot say, but I have
no reason to think that the Sheikh bas any desire or intention of not continuing to adhere
loyalty to bis agreement with Hie Majesty’s Government."

XXXIV.—Fao Estates dispute.
February 1903-1904.
294 The expulsion of Yusuf-el-Ibrahim left Mubarak’s nephews helpless
and at the mercy of their uncle. Accord­
27o«. 41-45 of Secret E., April 1903, Nos. 23-70.
ing to Mr. Wratislaw’s telegram to Sir
O’Conor, dated 11th February 1903, it appeared that, being in financial straits
since Yusuf’s departure, they proposed to arrange with the Sheikh concerning
their estate, on the conditions that they wore allowed to occupy tho estates at
Gherdilan and Ajerawah, and given an allowance of £-T. 2,000 a yoar less the
income from those estates. The Secretary of State was of opinion that provided
that this arrangement was accepted by the Sheikh and the settlement arranged
through .His Majesty’s Consul at Basrah it might be approved. The Political
Resideut was asked to ascertain Mubarak’s wishes.
295. The Political Resident telegraphed on 2nd March:—
No. 52.
“ I have received reply from Mubarak, purporting that ho heard from Wali on tho subject
months ago, and replied that lie had accepted Sultan’s irado for tho appointment of disinterest­
ed persons at Basrah for the purpose of enquiring into, and deciding upon, claims of bis
nephew", and that lie would accept whatever they may be agrceaolo to. Sheikh appears
anxious to settlo matter, but I donut think he is prepared to accede to tho proposal of nephow
entirely, and wishes matter should be referred to arbitrator(fl) "under the eyo of tho British
Consul and the Wali" 1 think that it will be a good thing if a settlement can bo arranged,
but 1 doubt whether interference of British Consul will be accepted. Perhaps Ambassador
can arrange this, in any case, initiative must, it seems, bo taken by Turkey. I will 6end
oopy of this by to-day’s mail to Wratislaw."
No. 63. 290 His Excellency then despatched tho following telegram, No. 458-E.,
dated the 5th March 1903, to His Majesty’s Secretary of State —
Mubarak replios that he informed Wali months ago that he pccopfcd Sultan's 1™^®
appointing disinterested persons at Basrah to enquire aud decide on nephew’s claims. Jvoruball