Page 90 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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Lawrence on the 5th instant, and had two interviews with Sheikh Mubarak-Subah, the present
Chief. Captain Uewett of the Lawrence, was present at theso meetings, which took place
on shore, the Sheikh preferring not to come on board the Lawrence, explaining that his doinir
so might got him into trouble with the Turkish authorities, with whom he must keep on go<xl
terms until our protection ;s assured. °
The primary and ostensible object of Mr. Gaskin’s visit to Koweit was to convey to Sheikh
Mubarak the warning of the British Government conveyed in your cypher telegram of tho 9th
May 1897, informing him that he will be held responsible for any piratical attacks on British
vessels committed by Koweit people. Mr. Gaskiu duly conveyed this mtssago to the Sheikh,
who, ho reports, was much concerned at receiving it. lie denied that his'suhjccts at Koweit
itself engage in piracy, hut admitted that people employed in cettain date-gardens of his near
Basrah may do so, adding that he lias no control over them. He went on to state that the
head quarters of the pirates are on the other side of the Gulf, and that Koweit vessels are also
plundered by them. That when he has applied for assistance from the Turkish authorities, the
only result has been extortion on the part of tho officers and soldiers sent to investigate the
cases iu question.
He had asked the Wali. of Basrah for permission to keep two or three armed vessels to
patrol the mouth of the Shat-al-Arab, hut this was not.allowed, and he has now directed that
Koweit boats shall not go singly, but always iu twos and threes.
He concluded by saying that lie fully recognized the necessity for prompt co-operation
with the British Government and would he glad to give their representvc any information he
could regarding piracies, and assist in the capture and destruction of the pirates.
As regards the dispute between Sheikh Mubarak on the one side and his nephews, sons
of the late Sheikh, and Yusuf bin Ibrahim on the other, Sheikh Mubarak told Mr. Gaskin
that lie would like to bavo tho mediation of Sheikh Esa of Bahrein, who was a relation, and
well qualified for the task. He said that his nephews had lived on good terms with him after
their father'6 death, and that it was in consequence of the intrigues of Sheikh Yusuf that
they bad turned against him. He added that although he was quite prepared to come to
terms-with'his nephews, he thought they should not be allowed to live at Koweit. In this ho
is probably right, for it must be remembered that Sheikh Mubarak assassinated the father of
these young men, and nothing that he may do will absolve him in their eyes from the guilt of
this crime, or do away with the necessity for revenge on their part.
If the other side is also prepared to accept the mediation cf Sheikh Esa of Bahrein, It
think he may be informed that we have no objection to his undertaking the task.
I now come to' the most important part of Mr. Gaskin’s mission, which was to ascertain
distinctly what the Sheikh’s views are in regard to certain advances he has been making or
late through our Agent at Bahrein, with a view to our extending to Koweit the protection
we give to other places on the Arab Coast.
Mr. Gaskin reports that Sheikh Mubarak told him that he and his people wish Koweit
to be placed under British protection, such as is enjoyed by Bahrein and the Trucial Chiefs.
If the British Government will extend its protection to him, he says he is prepared to assist
the British in maintaining law and order in that part of the Gulf with the full force at
his disposal, which lie states amounts to 25,000 tribesmen.
' There is no doubt before he approached us, Sheikh Mubarak did bis utmost to secure
his recognition by the Turkish authorities, and that his efforts in that direction bavo cost
: him considerable sums. The Porte, however, have as yet refrained from definitely acknowledge
lDg his position, and it appears to me that tho Sheikh’s advances to us maybe made with
the object of inducing the Turkish Government, to hasteu their movements.
On the other hand, however, he explained to Mr. Gaskiu that he had found the Turks
grasping and unreliable, and that he and his people believed they intended ere long to
entirely absorb Koweit. It was to prevent this, ho said, that he wished for British protection.
There can be no doubt that Sheikh Mubarak, like other small Chiefs on the Arab Coast,
is quite ready to ask for British or Turkish protection as appears best for his own interests,
and I doubt if we would have heard much of his desire for our help, if tho Turks had at onoe
acknowledged him. They, however, appear to be anxious to defer coming to any definite
settlement of the succession to the Shcikliship, tho delay being probably in consequence o
the wish of the local officials to get as much as they can out of both claimants.
The delay, whatever its causes, has given us an opportunity of extending our iofluenco
;n Koweit, which would, I believe, be highly advantageous to our interests for many reasons.
Koweit possesses an excellent harbour, and will, under our protection, undoubtedly
become one of the most important places in the Persian Gulf. Apart from the clfiances o
its being the sea port for the projected railway from Port Said,.which i3 ^n(^c.r consl -erf •
and which the possession of Koweit, would enable us to protect, the trade with ,in
is already considerable, aud will greatly increase. At present, in spite of the SneiK •■
tions, it is regarded as a ccntro for piratical' expeditions, and therefore, endangers our
with the Sbat-al-Arab. Finally, it is said that it is a great slavo emporium, an * s
efforts to put a stop to tho slave trade arc more or lean barren of results, as long a
can be marched across Arabia, and shipped at Koweit for Turkoy and Persia.