Page 175 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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APPENDIX G.

(See Section X I’ll I paragraphs 144-146.)

(1) Correspondence in Europe regarding the proposed assumption of
protectorate over Koweit.

(2) Misunderstanding between the Government of India and Her
Majesty’s Government as regards the former’s attitude in the
matter. May—June 1901.

In May 1901 overtures were made by Ibn Rashid to Mr. TVratislaw with a
view to his being taken under British
Sorrel E., October 1501, Nos. 184-315.
protection. Sir N. O’Conor reported th
fact to the Foreign Office in his despatch No. Cl, dated 29th May 1901. On
being consulted by the Foreign Office, Lord George Hamilton consulted Lord
Curzon, and on receipt of His Excellency’s telegram, dated 8th June (paragraph
145) gave expression to the following views in the India Office letter No. 249,
dated 14th June 1901 :—
“ I am to enclose a copy of a telegram, dated the 8th June, giving the views of the
Governor*General of India on the situation. At the outset I am to observe that L«»r<l
Curzon’8 statement relative to the declaration of an open protectorate “ to which sanction of
Foreign Office was reported in your telegram of 24th December 1898. but withdrawn in your
telegram of 0th January 1899/'* is not thoroughly accurate : and since it is important that the
facts of the case should be remembered, 1 am to recapitulate them. In your letter of the 5th
December 1898, you stated that, in Lord Salisbury’s opinions the question, of establishing a
protectorate over Koweit and its consequent rcsponsiblitics was a matter primarily for the
consideration of the Government of India. If that Government were of opinion that the
protectorate could be undertaken without difficulty or inconvenient extension of the duties of
tlie police already exercised by it in the Persian Gulf, Lord Salisbury would approve of such
a step, and His Lordship would diplomatically support .such a protectorate. Accordingly, on
24th December, the Viceroy, Lord Elgin, was informed that the Foreign Office would approve
of a protectorate on the understanding and the conditions set forth, and Ilia Excellenoy was
asked to 6tatc what measures ho could take to make the protectorate effective, on the supposition
that he could rely on Her Majesty’s Government for diplomatic support. The Viceroy did not
accept the conditions or reply to the enquiry. Meanwhile a fresh proposal was put before
the Viceroy on the Gth January based upon your letter, dated the 4th January. As a precau­
tionary measure, it was proposed to lake immodiate steps for obtaining from the Sheikh an
arrangement not to lake cede, lease, mortgage, or otherwise alienate or give for occupation any
portion of his territory to the Government or the subjects of another Power without the
consent of tho British Government. This distinct engagement with certain minor additions
was, with the assistance of the Government of India, in due course, obtained: and on 18th
January 1899, Lord Salisbury authorised you to give to the Secretary of Stale for India
the assurance that Ilis Lordship “ did not contemplate that by according that assistance the
Indian Government would in the slightest degreo pledge themselves to take any action, or to
accept any liability under any circumstances that might arise in the future.” That under-
t»king is still in force, and the distinction between the proposal for the protectorate on
certain conditions which were never accepted by the Government of India, aud the non-alien­
ation engagement which was obtained for Her Majesty’s Government by the Government of
India at tho suggestion of the Secretary of Stato tor Foreign Affairs has never been lost
sight of in the office.
Circumstances have now arisen, in consequence of the engagement into which tho Sheikh
of Koweit entered, which have led to the suggestions made by Sir N. O'Conor forwarded with
your letter of the 30tb May. Tho proposals both with regard to Koweit and to Ncjd aro
matters for the decisiou of tho Marquess of Lant-dnwne, and I am to forward, for His Lord-
ship’s considoratiou, the opinion recorded by Lord Curzon. It is obvious that a declaration of
open proteotorato over Koweit, and the deputation of a Mission to Ncjd, may involve serious
responsibilities if the Turkish Government should eithor resent those measures or take steps to
counteract thorn. The motives by which the Sheikh may be actuated ns suggested by tbo
Viceroy, will not be confined to him. The Amir of Ncjd will equally be desirous of making
the best bargain he can for himself by playing off one Power against another and, in Lord
George Hamilton's opinion very little reliance can be pieced on the good faith of either.
Engagements made to protect Koweit and to restrain the Sheikh from futuro aggression
upon Nejd may lead to serious interference in the affairs of both Chiefs and to tbo establish­
ment of authoritativo control, which might at times require a material force upon the spot for
its cnforcomont. This forco tho Iudian Government cannot undertake to supply,
Tn transmitting the Viceroy’s telegram for tho consideration of tbo Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, I am to observe that Lord George Hamilton, whilst fully realising tho awk­
wardness of allowing affairs iu Koweit to drift without a more defiuite declaration of policy