Page 82 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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N&mik Pasha should govern Turkish Arabia nor would it perhaps bo surprising, were hia
entreaties disregarded, his political status being threatened that his barbarian instincts should
prompt him to a course oE opjiosition which must either force on tho apprehonded ovent
or bring him into collision with His Majesty’s Government in India.
The communication by sea between Koweit and Bussorah boing constant' and frequent
and by land not exceeding 3 days caravan journey I am inclined to bclievo that no great
sacrifice is involved in the temporary concession of its right by the British Indian Steam
Navigation Company.
I havo no reason that the objections of tho Sheikh of Koweit-aro dictntod by mistrust
on his part of the disigns of tho English. I attach indeed no credit whatever to the proposals
submitted to tho Resident in the Persian Gulf by odc Abu Isan as reportod in Colonel Polly's
despatch to your address No. 60 dated 15th May 188'5. This man is not even a nativo of
Kowoit with whose Chiefs ho enjoys no more intimate relations than derive from his offico
of Conductor of Pilgrims and judging of the character of tho individual from his class as it
is found in Turkish Arabia. Active and energetic but thoroughly unprincipled, judging also
from the circumstances of his visit to Bushire I am of opinion that his mission, unaccredited
it was in respect to. Koweit, was sclfarrogatcd, and his object merely to acquire tbo merit of
discovering designs of which he argued the existence from tho assumed importance of bis
connection with Mr. Palgravo.
Mr. Johnston informs me that sinco Abdul Aziz’s mission to Baghdad Abdullah ee Saud
hns shown himself very watchful of the course of affairs at Koweit, where an Agent on his
part resides ".
Koxotit join Turks 12. In 1871, when Midlmt Pasha made a successful attempt to reduce the
in eonyueriny Uata,
1671. Amir of Nejd to subjection, the Sheikh of Kowoit declared himself on tho
Turkish side, assumed the Turkish flag, and was instrumental in inducing other
Chiefs on the Arabian littoral of the Persian Gulf to imitate his example. For
his action he received the title of Pasha, and was granted considerable tracts
of land in the neighbourhood of Fao. It would appear that about that time
a Turkish Custom House was established at Koweit, hut it must havo been
maintained for a short time only.
13. In 1876 Lieutenant-Colonel Prideaux, tho Acting Resident at Bushire,
Lieutenant Pride•
aups report 1876. enumerated as the principal Turkish ports on the Arab side of the Persian
Gulf, Koweit, Katif, and Ojair. In May 1878 tho Government of India pro­
posed “ that from Busrah to Ojair ” (which is situated on the coast considerably
to the south of Koweit) “ the authority of tho Porte should bo recognised as
established on land, but that at sea the British Government should continue to
exercise some concurrent Protectorate, pursuing pirates if necessary, into
Turkish waters and dealing with them wherever found, whether at sea or on
shore, within certain limits through the Resident in the Gulf.” This proposal
was discussed by the Foreign Office and somewhat modified.
14. In a despatch, datod the 5th January 1879, Lord Salisbury authorised
j)^ate\of "m/*' Sir A. Layard, then British Ambassador at Constantinople, to propose to the
Porte an arrangement by which British ships of war should be instructed to
pursue their operations for the repression of piracy, as far as possible, outside
the territorial waters of the Arabian mainland north of Odcid, but also should
havo authority to pursue and capture piratical vessels within the 3 miles limit on
that part of tho coast, wherever this might seem indispensable to the attainment
of their object. This arrangement, which would by implication havo admitted
Turkish territorial sovereignty as far south as Odeid (which is south of Ojair),
was mentioned by Sir A. Layard to the Turkish Prime Minister for Foreign
Affairs, and submitted by them to the Council of Ministers, hut got no further.
16. In August 1888, in consequence of a report that tho Turkish Govern­
Instructions to Sir ment contemplated an attack on Oman, Sir W. White was instructed that Her
W. JPkits, 1683.
Majesty's Government recognised Turkish jurisdiction on tho coast as far as
Katif and were anxious that it should be effectively exercised within those
limits. Beyond that point Her Majesty’s Government considered the chmf® to
he independent. (Katif, though situated to the north of Ojair and Odeid, is
still considerably south of Koweit)..
16. Sir W. White in reply called attention to somo recent practical asser-
tions of Turkish jurisdiction south of Katif, and represented that it would ho
difficult to lay down that Katif was the hard and fast limit beyond which
• The question of tba Turkish sphoro of iuflacnco in tbo Araliau littoral i« fully treated in the Katar Frtcit,
1673-190;.