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' B. With regard to Hejejoand Subieb, the Political Resident, Persian Gulf, cxploinod*
tlmt Hojoje was on tho Koweit tide of Khor Subbiya.
• Fro. Nv. 888. Secret E., July 1002, Nos. 307*
609. Tho Government of India informed tho Secretary
t Pro. No. 860, ibid. of Slatet in March 1902 “Sheikh has been
advised not to activoly oppose Turks it they advance to Hcjcjo, which is practically same place
as Subieh, but to leave tho settlement of tho question of his frontier with us.” They further
considered that tho advance of tho Turks was an unquestionable violation of tho status quo
ainoo thoy bad never beforo been in places then being occupied.
Thoy subfequently asked tho definite question: J “ Are wo to resist Turkish advance on
Koweit sido of Khor Subieh and reocivod tho
t Pro. No. 890. ibid. reply §—“Practically Ilis Majesty’s Govern­
S Pro. No. 408, ibid.
ment would resist Turkish advauco on Koweit sido
of' Subbiya
Again, by letter, tho Foreign OfTico, London, clearlyJ| declared “that, as a question of
practical politics, Ilis Majesty's Governmont would
resist a Turkish advonco on tho Koweit side of
| Pro. No. 466, ibid.
Subbiya.”
It may also bo noted that it was in connection with the reported despatch of Turkish troops
to Subbiya and Kasima that Sir N. O’Conor ^
informed the Turkish Foreign Minister that if such
% Pro. No. 476, ibid.
encroaobmont8 continued he would be obliged to
advise His Majesty’s (iovernment to prevent it
••Pro. No. 499, Secret E, July 1902, No#. 307- by force if necessary. Ilis action wa6 approved **
609. by tho Foreign Ollice.
Itmay, therefore, bo assumed that Hi3 Majesty’s Government would be glad to receive
early intimation of any ndvance on the above-named places.
0. It was in September 1902 tt that the Secretary of State directed that, in connection
with tho renowal of hostilities between Ibn Rashid
tt Pro. No. 109. Secret E., February 1903, No.. and Abdul Aziz-bin-Saoud, the Sheikh of Koweit
102*307.
should be warned against encouraging any action
likely to involve him in diflicultics with Nejd or
tt Pro. No. 20?, Secret E., January 1904, No#. 140- Txirkisli Government. Lord Curzon was in
305.
November 1903 asked personally to point out to
the Sheikh the difficulty of effectually protecting him if ho countenanced or joined in attacks
on neighbouring tribes.
H End of portgnpli 12 of drep&tch No. IOC, This was dono and tho Sheikh §§ promised
Secret E, dated 17th December 1903. implicit compliance with Ilis Excellency’s advice.
83*127 N°* 119> 8eCr0* ’ F*bn,,r* 1 ’ N°'' With respect to the insurrectionary actions of Sadun
UQ Pro. Nos. 287. 292. 290, 814. 316 and 317, P^a Turki!b territory the Sheikh was again ||||
Secret E., August 190*, No*. 286*373. advised not to involve himself if he desired the
good offices of His Majesty’s Government.
In April 1904 Lord Curzon suggested 1HI that the Turks be warned against direct interftr-
cnce in affairs of Nejd, and this led to the receipt
1*1 Pm. No. 323, ibid. of the telegram, dated the 25th May 1904/** from
the Secretary of State pointing out the undesir-
- •**- «*—-*■ *- a* ss: fs re
persisted in doing so it might be expedient to
reconsider the question of appointing a Resiacut at Koweit. The reply ttt sent to this message
summarised tho views of the Government of Iudia
ttt Pro. No. 350, ibid. in the matter.
It was in July 1903 that Lord Curzon expressed the opinion that the appointment of a
British officer at Koweit would (a) afford substan­
JJt Pro. No. 628, Secret E., July 1904, No#. 620*
669. tial evidence of our intention to preserve and utilise
. , tho privileges we already enjoy; (6) cnablo us to
acquire more Tellable information as to the true position in tho interior of Arabia, where difficult
questions may easily arise out of a condition of tribal politics; (c) give us belter opportunities
for watching the proceedings of the Turks on tho border of Koweit territory; and {d) strengthen
our right to exert a controlling voice in tho ultimate destination of tho Baghdad Railway.
7. In March 1904 the Secrotary of State was specially addressed §§§ on tho subject of the
Hi Despatch No. C9,Secret E.,«l#tcd 24tli Mtrch political situation in the interior of Arabia when it
MMw! ** K° 216’ **TCi E' Ju°° N°*’ was expla*nC(l ” that it may shortly be incumbent
‘ ' t on us to take a more lively interest in tho affairs of
Central Arabia, and that if flic representative of the Wahabi family succeeded in establishing
and extendmg his areondancy “ it may be desirable again to enter into relations with our
old ally.” fa