Page 185 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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ws in connection with tho Baghdad Bailway, whilo lie represents a family which is non-Turkish
and with which they have had treaty relations, whereas Ibn Rashid is now a Turkish nominee.
At tho same lime no assistance is to be given him, and our-object is to maintain the independ­
ence of Nojd so far ns this can 1 c secured without direct interference, and to leave the two
families to fight il out. In advising the Sheikh of Koweit as to the attitude which he
ought to observe towards this question, you will, therefore, dhsuadc him from taking any
overt action likely to bo construed by tho Turkish Government into direct interference with
tho affairs of Ncjd (or from participating in any
Ouiit as wo Jo not admit that Ncjd is Turkish. insurrcctioncry movement), Such advice will
L. >V. Dawe.
be based upon the understanding that the good
offices of His Majesty's Government can be extended to him only if be refraius from any such
aggression, and is guided by their advice.
“With regard to the importation of arms, pending further instructions, you will neither
authorise nor forbid Sheikh Mubarak to continue the trade which already exists. You will,
however, look into the matter and ascertain the nature and extent of the tratfio, as also whether
arm6 arc being especially imported through Koweit for Ibn Saood."
10-8-04. S. M. Fraser.
Mr. Fraser’s proposed paragraphs on Ncjd and the arms traffic as altered by me may also,
I think, be safely added to the letter of instructions.
11-8-04. L. W. Dane.
I cannot oommit myself to the very definito and uncompromising policy laid down iu the
letter to the Resident without knowing ou what authority it i6 based, l'lcasc refer me to the
papers in which Lord Curzon and His Majesty's Government agreed upon such a policy, and
put up the despatch of the 24th March, which seems to Lc essential to a consideration of
this case.
12-8-04. A[mpthill].
The main portions of the files to Koweit* affairs and the establishment of a post officef
• Secret E., Aucuit 1904, Nos. 28G-373. there have been recorded, and tho case is resubmit­
f Secret E., July liOl. Nos. 620-669. ted with the following precis bearing on the points
touched on iu the draft letter and iu the suggested
addition by Deputy Secretary.
t Pro. No. 2S9, Secret E., March 1902, Nos. 127* 2. The precis J prepared in tho India Office
867. recites the main substance of the Koweit case up to
Alio see Tro. No. 67, Secret E., March 1901, Nos.
67-08. the closo of September 1‘JOl.
The Turkish Government have agr<>od § to tho
§ Pro. Nos. 281 and 307, 8ccrct E., October 1901,
Nos. 184-315. mutual maintenance of the stains quo, but have been
•I Pro. No. 271, ibid. informed that “ His Majesty's Govornment|| though
^ Pro. No. 270, Secret E.f October 1901, Nos. willing to respect the status quo would not allow
No* 3307-6o9 Pr0' W°’ *76, S0CTCt E” July lS°2, interference with Koweit," and that encroachments^
1 u thereon would be prevented by force if ncccs6aiy.
Jn December 1901 the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf was instructed ** to convey to
the Sheikh the purport of a telegram ** from the
•• Pro. Nos. 225 and 231, Secret E., March 1S02,
Not., 127-357. Secretary of State in which it was stipulated that
11 is Majesty's Government were prepared to support
him and would not tolerate an attack by Turkish troops or ships on Koweit should he coutiuue
to observe his engagements with ua.
Again, in October 1902, in connection with a request from the Sheikh for arras whioh was
not met, the Secretary of State approved tt of his
ft Pros. Nos. 181,183 and 190,Sccrot E., February being informed that if ho complied with the injunc­
19U3, Noa. 162-307.
tions conveyed to him in December 1901, His
Majesty’s Government would charge themselves with tho defence of Koweit district, provided
it was clearly dofmed tt as the district adjoining or close to the Bay of Koweit.
8. Ae regards foreign powers, Lord Lanadownc noted in March 1902 that he had informed
„ „ most of them * * * “ that while we do not
tt Pm. No. 4C7, Secret E., July 1902, Nos. 307- gru(]gc a * debouchd' for international commerce
■too.
in tho Gulf, and havo no wish to make it into a
British lake, we shall resist to the utmost all attompts by other powers to obtain a foothold on
its shores fur naval or military purposos."
4. Tho question of the importance of the shores of the mainland of Bubiyan island was
noticed in paragraph 6 of tho marginally cited
ftl'S &3T topau*. m'-iS. ™ph 7 ofO.U it
was recommended that the Porte be informed that
His Majesty's Government regarded Bubiyan island as belonging to the Sheikh, and that,
unloes tho Turkish forcois withdrawn, they .would bo constrained to support him in establishing
a post on tho northeru shore to balnnco tho Turkish posts at Urn Kasr and Al Goit.