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11
80. On liia arrival in England, Captain Whyte reported that before his
departure from Basrah, he had learnt
No. 109 of Secret E, May 1897, No*. 101-115.
that tho object of Sheikh Mubarak, in
wishing for an interview with tho British Resident at Bushire, was in order
that ho might ask for the establishment of a British protectorate over Koweit.
Lord George Hamilton then asked Lord Salisbury’s opinion whether this intelli­
gence should be communicated to tho Government of India and whether an
intimation should bo added that the Foreign Office would not favour the pro­
posal for a British protectorate over Koweit. It would appear that no action
was taken on this at the tirno.
31. As regards the Earipasa. piracy caso, the Secretary of State on 4th
May asked tho opinion of tho Vicoroy
No, US of Do.
on Mr. Moekler’s suggestion for demanding
a joint Persian—Turkish Commission, and at the same time added :—
“Lord Salisbury also suggests, when opportunity presents itself, Resident might convey to
Sheikh Kow>it serious warning that his responsibility will be enforced if his subjects arc not
resirained in future from committing attacks upon British baghlas. Please instruct Resident
if you agree.”
32. The Viceroy tolographed on 9th May that he saw no use in demanding
of Persia that she should join in a Com­
No, 114.
mission to find out who the pirates were,
and that he was instructing the Resident as suggested. At tho same time the
following telegram was sent to tho Resi­
No. 115.
dent:
“ I assume, you have not yot met Sheikh of Koweit, Her Majesty's Government wish
when you meet him, you would convey to Sheikh serious warning that his responsibility will be
enforced if his subjects are not restrained in future from committing attacks on British baghlas."
33. It is interesting to note that in the Foreign Department here, the
Secrotary of State’s instructions in his telegram of 4-th May were deemed to
amount to a repudiation of the shadowy suzerainty of the Porte over Koweit,
and would be driving the thin end of the
Secret E., May 1897, No*. 101-115.
wedge towards a British protectorate over
Koweit (see notes of Mr. Bosanquet and Sir TV. J. Cunningham).
34 The proposal as to the joint Commission was ultimately dropped, espe­
Secret E., November 1897, No*. 83-141. cially as it was proposed by Lord George
Hamilton that a British officer should
No. 100 of Proceedings cited.
have a seat on it, and there would be fouud
many difficulties in the way of the appointment of suoh a mixed Commission.
35. The following telegraphic correspondence must then be read about
tbe visit of a British officer to the Sheikh of Koweit and the genesis of the
agreement we afterwards made with him :—
Secret E.,
November
(1) Telegram, No. 11C8-E. A., dated the 20th July 1897. 1897, No*. 83-
141.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Simla, No. 83.
To—The Political Residont, Persian Gulf, Bushire.
My tolegram, May 9th. Did Wilson meet Koweit Sheikh or convey warning ? If not
will you shortly have opportunity of doing so ?

(2) Telegram, dated tho 2lst July 1897. No. 89.
From—The Political Resident, Persian Gulf, Busbiro,
To—Tho Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Your telegram of yesterday about Koweit. I find Colonel Wilson did not convey the
warning contained in your telograra of 9th May 1897 to Shoikh. Howevor, our Bahrein
Agent now reports that Sheikh Mubarak hn9 sent dologato to mo with certain proposals from
Sheikh. Am directing Agoot to como hero atonco with delegate and proposo sen-ling warniug
convoyed iu your telegram through dologato, uuless you wish me depute an Assistant from
Rosidency to visit Kowoit for the purpose,