Page 160 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

84,
for (a) it would afford substantial ovidenco of our intention to preservo and utiliso tho privi­
leges we already enjoy; (6) it should enable us gradually to acquire more reliable information
as to true position in interior of Arabia, where difficult questions may easily ariso out of con-
dition of tribal politics; (c) it would give us better oppoitunities for watching tho.proceeding*
of the Turks on the borders of Kowcit territory; and \d) it would strengthen our right to exert
a controlling voico in the ultimate destination of tho llaghdad Railway. "We still consider th*
most economical solution would be to place Koweit and Mohammerah under a 6inglo Indian
officer, and wc do not understand rca«oivs for which IIis Majesty’s Government roconlly
l-efused our proposal to this effect. If double jurisdiction is an obstacle, wc support Sir
iN.O’Conor’s proposal, but would dcprccato any strengthening or negotiation of the connection
between Koweit and Basrah.

No. 629. (5) Tolegram, dated tho 2Gth August 2903.
From—3Ii« Majesty's Socrotary of Slato for India, London,
To—His Excollonoy tho Viceroy, Simla.
Please refer to your tclegTam of the 31st July. His Majesty's Government consider that,
on the whole, the appointment of a British officer to reside permanently at Koweit cannot be
regarded otherwise than as departure, only justifiable by clear necessity, from xfalu* quo, upon
which, in discussions with tho Porte,’ they have laid so much stress. Foreign Office also objeot
to the Consul at Mohammerah being taken away from commercial duties of hiB office in
Persia for the purpose of dealing with entirely different class of questions connected with
Turkish Arabia. On the whole, existing system, under which the Resident in the Persian
Gulf, or one of tho officers, is ordinary channel of communication, is considered to work well.
Should it bo hereafter found necessary to establish closer touch with Koweit, it should be
effected gradually by means of temporary visits by selocted officer repeated at intervals until
residence practically becomes permanent thore.
346. Here the matter halted in August 1903, to get a fresh start a year
later in consequence of events, which will be described in the next section.

XLL—(1) Turkish aid to Ibn Rashid (2) Proposed British protest
(3) appointment of Political Agent at Koweit, April—October 1904.

347. We have noted above (paragraphs 323 and 324) how the Turkish Gov­
ernment proceeded in April 1904 to despatch assistanco in men, money and arms
to Ibn Rashid, who had been for some time playing a losing game against
Ibn Saud. Lord Curzon suggested to tho Secretary of State that tho Turks
might again he warned against direct interference in the affairs of Nejd or it
might be necessary for us to take mcassures in those regions in order to protect
our interests.
Secret E Aocc»t 1904 348. We shall now follow tho course of events, which have ultimately
Km. 288—873.
culminated in the appointment of a Political Agent at Koweit by a perusal
of the telegraphic correspondence up to date:—

No. 328. (1) Telegram, dated the 2nd May 1904.
From—F. E. Caow, E«q., Hi* Britannio Majosly’a Officiating Consul at Basrah,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Dopartmont.
Information has been received by me to the effect that the Turks will send one battery
of artillery and six battalion* of infantry from the "Baghdad and Basrah Villavets on o
Hejd expedition. A contract for six months' supplies has been made and the Amir has seize
a large number of camels for transport purposes. 1 bear that the Sheikh of Koweit is in con­
stant communication with Abdul Aziz bin Saud, and that the lattor has takeu Borei a a
Aneyza.
Identity of interests may oblige the Shoikh to assist or he will lose tho support of bii
tribes.
Addd to the British Ambassador at Constantinople and repeated to the Political
Resident in tho Persian Gulf aud the Government of India m the Foroigu Departm