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169-B. While at Bahrein it was thought likely that the Viceroy might receive
a visit from Shaikh Ahmed-bin-Thani of Katar about whom there had been
correspondence with the Secretary of Stale. The Shaikh, however, did not
receive Colonel KcmbaU's invitation in time to attend.
169-C. On the 28th November, the squadron arrived at Koweit, and Lord
Curzon spent two days at this interesting place. Shaikh Mubarak was
unaffectedly flattered and rejoiced at the Viceroy’s visit, and he exerted himself
to receive His Excellency with all the limited resources of which his people and
town were capable. Lord Curzon’s entry into Koweit in a carriage with the
Shaikh (the only vehicle in the place) surrounded by a galloping and shout­
ing cavalcade of Arab horsemen and coachmen, between lines of thousands of
the inhabitants, and groups of women uttering shrill cries, was one of the most
picturesque incidents of the tour.
In his despatch of 6th November, Mr. Brodrick expressed the opinion that
it was inevitable that the Shaikh should be anxious to receive from him assur­
ances of support in excess of those already given to him. Lord Curzon himself
had entertained some such apprehension. But here, as at Maskat, His Excel­
lency found that the visit itself, quite apart from any fresh promises or engage­
ments, was regarded by the ruler as finally binding him to our cause, and as
setting the seal upon the protection and overlordship of the British Power. The
Viceroy was accordingly relieved from the position, anticipated by the Secretary
of State as one of special difficulty, of either having to listen to embarrassing
questions or to give embarrassing answers. It is true that in his private conver­
sation with the Viceroy the Shaikh, after stating explicitly that he had severed all
connection with the Turks, and that he repudiated relations with any other Power
than the British, asked that he mignt receive from us a title or decoration or an
allowance. But these favours were evidently sought as ratification of a rela­
tionship regarded by the Shaikh as already in existence rather than as the initial
steps in a new and more defined regime : and they were merely the corollary of
his action at the official reception at the previous day, when, upon receiving a
sword at the Viceroy's hands as his Khilat or gift, he asked for a belt with
which to gird it on, as he had now become “a military officer of the British
Empire.’1 The Government of India instructed Colonel Kemball to report upon
the exact nature and application of the Shaikh’s requests: but the Shaikh was
expressly warned that it might not be found possible to grant them. In
accordance with a telegram received from the Secretary of State on the morning
of the Viceroy’s arrival ac Koweit, the Shaikh was further warned against
entanglements in the interior in which he could neither expect nor receive our’
support, and he promised implicit compliance with this advice. This, it was
expected, would be the more easy if, as reported by him, the Wahhabi can­
didate for the Chiefship of Nejd, Abdur Rahman bin-Feysal, who is his ally,
had been generally successful and had vanquished his opponent Ibn Rashid.
It may be added that Shaikh Mubarak, though now an elderly man, is by far
the most masculine and vigorous personality • whom the Viceroy encountered
in the Gulf. He seemed to possess a very acute intelligence, and a character
which justified his general reputation for cunning, and explained the fratricidal
steps by which be had attained to his present position. His protestations of
loyalty and friendship were, however, in the Viceroy’s opinion, sincere. He showed
to the officers of all British ships, and to English travellers arriving at Koweit,
exceptional hospitality and consideration.
170. The question of the Baghdad Railway has called special attention in
recent years to the ports or harbours of the upper end of the Persian Gulf, and
Lord Curcon accordingly utilised his visit to Koweit, to inspect these in company
with the Admiral. While lying off Koweit an examination was made of Kad-
hama Bay to the west of the town. Leaving the fleet Their Excellencies then
made a tour of two days in the Lawrence, piloted by Commander Kemp in the
Sphinx, in the course of which they fully explored Khor Abdulla (the probable
maritime terminus of a railway from Baghdad) up to the Turkish post recently
planted at Urn Kasr. Passing to the Persian shores of the Gulf, beyond
the estuary of the Shat-el-Arab, similar exploration was then made of Khor
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