Page 152 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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into nn impregnable harbour ; and even if tbo day 1*3 still distant whoa tho
banks of the Khor Abdulla are likely to bo armed with foreign fort9 of batte­
ries, tbo undivided occupation by a Gorman Railway Coinpauy of a potentially
invulnerable position is not calculated • to conduco to tbo enhancement cithor
of British commercial prosperity or of British political prestige. Supposing,
howover, that wo are able to raako good Shoikli Mubarak’s claims, wo at onco
place ourselves in a position to establish, at tho north end of Bubiyan Island,
a post which would command not only the anchorage but also tho approaches
up the Khor Abdullah, and wo acquiro tbo power to assort, in such a manner
as our paramount interests demand, our right to participate in all arrangements
relative to tbo prospective terminus of tho Anatolian Railway. An additional
argument, if any is needed, in favour of strengthening our position at Bubiyan
may perhaps be found in tbo fact that tbo Khor is used as a place of rofugo
by pirates whom the Turkish Government is unablo to control aud who, as
shown in tho Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for 1902-03, commit
piracies off Bubiyan.
“ 6. His Majesty's Government have never admitted tho Turkish claim to
the island, and havo, indeed, protested against the interference with tho status
quo involved in the placing of a post at Al Geit, where, prior to tho month of
^February 1902, the Turks had never pretended to exercise an authority even
of the most shadowy description, and where tho total garrison now cousists of
some 6 men. On the same occasion we were informed by Lord George
Hamilton* that tho British Government
• Telegram of 8th April 1002.
would resist a Turkish advanco on the
Koweit side of Subiyah. This place is separated only by a channel from
the southern end of Bubiyan Island : and the claims of the Shoikh to both
positions seem to us to bo of equal validity.
“ 7. Tho proposal accordingly which we submit for your consideration is
that the Porto should now be informed that we arc unablo to recognise their
right to maintain a station on Bubiyan, and should be roquested to withdraw
their troops ; while at the same time wo should establish a post on behalf of
Sheikh Mubarak on the northern end of the island opposite to the soutborn
anchorage. The Sheikh lias always urged bis claims to this island, and
during the Viceroy’s visit to Koweit be repeatedly asked why tho Turks were
not compelled to evacuate both Bubiyan and Um Kasr which belonged to him.
He has several boats, and could easily with small support from us prevent
Turkish troops from crossing the Khor Subiyah or channel between Bubiyan
aud the mainland on tho west. Should His Majesty's Government deem it
advisable to sparo tho Sultan’s susceptibilities by the adoption of a less
I pronounced course of action, we think it possible that our object might be
secured by intimating that we regard Bubiyan Island as belonging to the
Sheikh, and that, unless tho Turkish force is withdrawn, we shall bo constrain­
ed to support him in establishing a post on the northern shore to balance tho
Turkish posts at Um Kasr and Al Goit. In this caso the Turks would pro­
bably retire, and the island would remain unoccupied. The Sheikh would
then resume possession, and it would only remain for us to carry out hereafter
Buch further measures as mignt be necessary for the maintenanoo of our
legitimate interests.''
XXXVI— Recent movements of Ibn Rashid, January 1903—March
i 1904.
306. We left Ibn Rashid at Hafer about tbo end of the month of January
1903.* Abdul Aziz-bin-Saud was at the time in the interior—probably otKiadn.
Since then wc have had only scraps of news about their movements, without an
intelligible connection between them. In fact tho whole history of Nejd for tlie
last two or three years requires to be ro-written in the light of a careful Joca
enquiry. In this precis a synopsis will be given below of the occasional reports
we have received in chronological order, tbo dates given being generally t e
probable ones. Wo shall call Abdul Aziz-bin- Rashid simply ibn Rashid ana
Abdul Aziz-bin-Abdul-K&hman-bin-Feysal by the name of Ibn Saud. __

• Sw Svcliou XXX1I1.