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Viceroy would he glad to receive an official statement o£ his proposals, and this
ho submitted in his letter of the 5th June, in which he suggested the appoint­
ment of a nativo agent on a salary of Its. 200 per mensem.
3'M. The question was further considered in connection with the proposals for
tho reorganisation of the Consular Scrvico in Porsia and the Gulf. In his tele­
gram of tho 1st Juno 1903 the Viceroy suggested that, if an Indian officer were
appointed to tho Consulate at Mohammerah, a gun-boat might bo placed at his
disposal, to enable him to visit Koweit from time to time. The Secretary of
State replied that this proposal was not likely to bo received favourably, and
from the letter of the 18th Juuc, from the India Offico to tho Foreign Office, it
will be scon that at the same time His Lordship suggested that a gun-boat might
be placed at the disposal of the Consul at Basrah to allow of his visiting Koweit.
This proposal was approved by tho Foreign Office.
316. It was soon found, however, that there was danger of Sheikh Mubarak s«rotE., July
embroiling himself in tho internal disturbances in Arabia, and a proposal was 1804, No*.
020-059.
made by Sir N. O’Conor to appoint a British officer as Agent at Koweit to keep
tho Sheikh in order.
316. Tho following telegraphic correspondence then took placo between tho
Secretary of State, tho Viceroy and the Political Resident:—

(1) Telegram, dated tho 21st July 1G03.
No. 625.
From—Ilia Majesty's Secrotary of Stato for India, London,
To—His Excelloncy tho Viceroy, Simla.
Please see telegram No. 69 from the Consul at Basrah about Koweit. O’Conor sug­
gests that a Resident should be appointed to Koweit to keep the Sheikh in order, as we havo
forbidden tho Turks to interfere, and desire to maintain his independence. Please let me know
what your views are. ________________
(2) Telegram No. 16S1-E., datod tho 25th July 1903.
No. 626.
From—Tho Foreign Secretory, Simla,
To—Tho Political Rcaidcnt iu tho Persian Gulf, Shiraz.
Secretary of State telegraphs :—Ploaso sco telegram what your views are Please tclo-
graph your opinion. We had previously suggested that Indian officer as Consul at Mohammerah
should have charge of Koweit and liavo’ a gun-boat placed at his disposal, but Sec­
retary of State then preferred to maintain existing arrangements while agreeing to give
Consul at Basrah a boat.
(3) Tologram. dated tho 2Gth July 1903.
From—Tho Political Resident in tho Porsian Gulf, Shiraz,
No. 627.
To—Tho Foroign Secrotary, Simla.
Your telegram of 25th July. Koweit. My opinion is that proposal for appointing Resi­
dent at Koweit, by which I understand that English officer is meant, is likely to impose on us
inconvenient responsibility.- Sheikh has frequently complained of raids upon the tribes and
territory by Amir of Nejd, and Turkey is not able to protect him or afford redress. Presum­
ably we arc only concerned to maintain independence of Koweit by naval power, and it seems
to me that, if we undertake to keep Sheikh in order, wo must also assume responsibility for
affording him redress in case of internal raids. Under existing circumstances Mieikh is bound
to) adopt his own measures for his protection, and even if such measures extend to indirect
support of his frionds who are now tu revolt against Amir of Nejd, I do not seo that we can or
need object, nor do I see that Turks have anv grouuds for objection, as I do not know that they
have over attempted, nor, so far a6 I know, do they desire, to interfere between the Amir and
the Wahabis. At tho same time wo should havo moro competent representative at Koweit
with a view to assisting trade, and obtaining more accurato information of what is happening.
Consul at Mohamraorah might also be given charge of Koweit under orders (of) Resident in
tbe Persian .Gulf, who could, if gun-biat not available, place Lawrence at his disposal for
tho purpose of visiting Koweit occasionally.

(4) Telegram No. 1731-E., datod tho 31st July 1903.
From—Hia Ezcollouoy tho Viceroy, Simla, No. 619.
To—Ilia Majoaty's Socrotory of Stato for India, London.
Colonel Kcmball, who was consulted on Your Lordship's telegram of tho 21st instant,
replies:—My opinion is.... ....visiting Koweit occasionally.
* Thcro is force in Colonel Komball’s representations, but I consider that the advantages of
the appoiutmont of a British officer at Koweit would outweigh auy probable disadvantages;