Page 95 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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63 This telegram was ropoated to tho Political Itesidont, and lie was ashed Mfrc"ct
to report on the matter, and also to communiontoa copy of tho telegram to the aoi.68i.6ai.’
Resident, Turkish Arabia, for report of a similar kiijd.
04. Tho Political Residcut in tho Persian Gulf replied on 30th December No. 68*.
1898 :—
“ In reply to your telegram about Koweit, please refer to my letter* of 25th September
1897, No. 1)0. I am of opinion that I had better, if you concur, visit Koweit without delay and
obtain informal ion requested by Secretary of State for India. I strongly recommend before
I go that I may be authorised as a preliminary to openly acknowledging protectorate to enter
into secret arrangement with Sheikh by which he will he bound not to admit protectorate by
any Power othor than Great Britain, and I would suggest that we in return agree to support
him against all attacks. I understand that Koweit is sufficiently 6trong to resist any attack
by land from either Arab or present Turkish forces at Basrah, and we can stop force by sea
with the gun-boat now available. If, however, protectorate is decided upon, to render it
effectual, cur naval force io Persian Gulf should ho temporarily increased, and I would recom­
mend cruiser and gun-boat be despatched direct Bushiro without previous intimation to
Commanders of intended duties. I cannot oommunicalo with Resident iu Turkish Arabia
in cypher code, but.will send your message in cypher, and I will also ascertain from Consul
at Basrah what forco available there. As prompt measures may be necessary, I am inclined
to think it is bettor not to await reply from Resident in Turkish Arabia, which will lake
some timo and may not bo much uso. If wo do not admit Turkish right at Koweit. Resident
in the Persian Gulf 6coms best ablo to deal with question about place which is in tho Porsian
Gulf.”
65. No action was apparently taken on this telegram at tho time Lord
Elgin 6imply noted on 2nd January:—
“ This is a matter of 6omo importance nnd deserves more consideration than I can give
to it The case might be seen iu the Military Department aud then be submitted to Lord
Curzon
66. In the Military Department it was proposed to consult tho Naval
Commandcr-in-Chiof on the question, whotlier the protectorate could he under­
taken without inconvonient extension of duty of police and whether ho could
arrange for tho two extra ships required to lio temporarily iu tho Gulf during
Colonel Meade’s visit to Koweit. But it was decided only to inform the
Commander-in*Cliicf dcmi-otBciallv that two additional ships might possibly ho
temporarily required in the Gulf heforo very long.
67. This was on 6th January 1899. On the 5th January 1899 the Secre­
tary of State telegraphed:—
“O'Conor urges cautious and quiet procedure in respect to Koweit since any formal declara­
tion of protectorate would be considered little short of hostile act by Turkey and would No'
certainly produce very serious diplomatic complications with Turkey and also with Russia
probably.”
58. On 6th January Her Majesty’s Secretary of State telegraphed :—
“ Continuation of my telegram. Kowoit. Lord Salisbury concurs in tbe opinion of
O'Conor as io the expediency of avoiding at present overt step towards establishing protectorate, No. 691
but desires to take precautions against any Jtussian territorial claims, which may possibly result
from Kapnist Bnilway concession. lie, therefore, proposes immediate steps to take engage­
ment from the Sheikh Koweit not to cede, lease, mortgage or otherwise alienate or give for
occupation any portion of his territory to tho Government or subject of any other Power
without obtaining consent of Her Majesty's Government previously. For this purpose Lord
Salisbury is prepared ta offer five thousand pounds sterling to be advanced by India reserving
question of ultimate incidence, and lie would even increase offer if necessary. His Lordship
desires to know whether yon can effect this negotiation speedily and most secretly by agency
of officers and vessels at your disposal, or whether tbe Admiralty should be asked to uudertuko
the matter, to which much importance is attached by His Lordship.
69. This decision of llcr Majesty's Government was arrived at under the
Sw prod* of information in Secret E., March 1001, following circumstances. About the end
No,,67'c8' of December 1898, there camo news
that Count Kapnist’s application for a concession to build a railway from
Tripoli to Koweit was likely to prove successful; and iu order to take precautions
against any territorial claims which Russia might possibly base upon that
concession, it was decided (without waiting for the reply of tho Government of
* Vide Varagrauk 3G above.