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(9) Tolojrami dated the 2-tth Judo 1901. No. 361
From—His Majesty's Socrotnry of State for India,
To—llis Excellency tho Yicoroy.
PIcopo refer to your telegram, dated tho 29th May 1901, regarding Nejd. SirN. O'Conor
has been instructed to address a representation to the Porte, making such use, as he may
think judicious, of the arguments stated by you. You are authorised to send an officer
immediately to Koweit. as IMitica! Agent. With reference to paragraph 5 of your Secret
Despatch No. 76, dated tho 31st March 1904, it has been decided to defer for the present
fr'sh measures for the prevention of the importation of arms at Koweit.
(10) Telegram, No. 2060-E.A., dated the 29th Juno 1901.
From—The Secretary to tho Government of Indin, Foieign Department, No. 362.
To—MaJoa P Z Cox, C.I.E., Officiating Political Resident in tho Persian Gulf.
His Majesty's Secretary of State for India has sanctioned a Political Agent being sent
immediately to Koweit. Wo propose Major Knox for the new appointment, and to replace him
by Captain Ticvor as your First Assistant and to leave Bunder Abbas vacant for the present,'
Please telegraph your opinion. Ponding further consideration of the necessary permanent
arrangement tor the Agency, Major Ivuox would draw a special allowance of its. 400 and
a sumptuary allowauce of Its. 100.
349. We have seen above (paragraph 341) that the Government of India
telegraphed to the Secretary of State that both the the newly appointed Politi
cal Agent, Koweit, as well as the Assistant Surgeon were detained at Bushire.
The Secretary of State in realy telegraphed on 28th'July :—
"Please r*fcr to your telegram, dated tho 4th July. It was not contemplated in my
telegram, dated the >et July, that the Political Agent for Koweit should be detained. The
orders were intended to apply only to the Assistant Surgeon for the Post Oflice. Captain
Knox should proceed at once to Koweit in a manner that unnecessary attention may not be
attracted.”
Major Knox was directed accordingly, on 3rd August, and he left Bushire
for Koweit on 5th August.
350. The Foreign Department discussed then the instructions to be given
to the new Political Agent, which should guide him in his conduct of affairs at
Koweit. The notes recorded are instructive and are re-printed as Appendix J.,
and the letter finally approved containing our instructions addressed to the
Political Resident for this communication to Captain Knox, is printed below
(No. 29i8-E-A., dated 7th September 1904) :—
“ I am directed to address you regarding the recently-created appointment of Political
Agent at Koweit.
2. As notified in Foreign Department telegram No. 2457, dated the 3rd August 1904,
Major Knox will take up the appointment, but will so act as not to attract unnecessary
attention. His first object should be to cultivate and maintain close and friendly relations
with Sheikh Mubarak and the principal personages in Koweit. The interests of British
trade and traders at Koweit and in the adjacent tracts of Arabia should be safeguarded,
•Pro. No. 628 in Secret E., July 1904. Nos. and a vigilant watch kept over the proceedings*
620-659. of the Turks on the boundaries of Koweit ter
ritories. Matters tending to show an intention, on the part of the Turksf or any other
t Pro. No..77inS«r„E.,J,l, .90=, No. Power, to interfere with, or disturb the existing
307.509; and Pro. No. 267 in Secict E., Febru- status quo or anything which would lead to a belie f
»ry 1903 ; Nos. 162-307. that any other Powers have| designs on, or in
j Memorandum by Lord Lansdowne, dated connection with, possible harbours within or
the ant March 1902; Pro. No. 467 in Secret E., without Koweit territory should at once be reported.
July 1902. 01.307-509. Special regard in this respect should be paid to
§ Pro. No. 200 in Secret E., March >904, Khor Abdulla§ and the waters round Bubiyan
Nos. 2tO-20I. Island and Um Kasr, but Captain Knox should be
cartful not to display undue apprehension or uneasiness on this point, or, in default of
definite instructions to interfere actively m matters affecting these places.
3. Any attempt on the part of the Turks, or others acting from Turkish territory, to
encroach on or beyond the limits of Hejcjcll and
i9oaPNos^3o7?5Mtnd " Secret E’’ ^u,jr Subhaieh|| should be forthwith reported. Captain
* * Knox should, however, endeavour to ascertain if
these places really represent the bounds of Sheikh Mubarak’s effective occupation at
present.