Page 53 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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mcnt “ which might add still further to the
disturbed condition of this part of Arabia.” On
receipt of the Viceroy’s telegram of the 20th
herd I.ansdowno May. 1004, .Sir N. O'Conor was further in­
to Sir N. U Conor,
May 21, 1004. structed hv telegraph to communicate at once
with the Porte, and to repeat in urgent terras the
representations ho had already been instructed to
make.
Fir N. 0‘Cmior to Sir N. O’Conor replied on the 23rd May that
Foreign Oflico, it was ditlicult to sec on what grounds the Porte
Mny 23, IU0I.
could he pressed to refrain from assisting the
Amir of Kcjd, who was the party attacked, lie
considered that wo should confine ourselves for
the present to maintaining intact the territory of
lvowoit and awaiting developments, but that, if
the Turks persisted in rendering assistance to
Pin ltashid, it might ho expedient to reconsider
the question of appointing a British Resident at
Koweit.
Viceroy's The substance of Sir N. O’Conor’s views was
k'lugruTD.
May 20, 1001. telegraphed to India on the 21th May. In
reply the Government of India, in a telegram
dated tho 20th May, suggested that Sir N.
O’Couor should be instructed to inform the Porte
that wo bad no desire to assist Bin Saoud
directly or indirectly, but that if, as a result of
Turkish support, Bin Rashid became unduly
powerful, our interests in Pastern Arabia might
be injuriously affected. They held that British
prestige at Koweit would he impaired if, by
preventing Mubarak from assisting his fricud
and ally Bin Saoud, and by stopping the
importation of arms, we allowed Turkish influ­
ence to determine the supremacy of tho Turkish
nominee in Central Arabia. Their conclusions
were that an Agent should he sent to Koweit,
and that the arms trade there should not he
interfered with.
Mr. drodrick's The proposal to scud an officer as Political
Agent to Koweit was approved by His Majesty’s
June 2-1, 1004.
Government, and the Government of Iudia were
informed accordingly on the 24th June, 11)04.
It was decided at the same time to defer for the
present any fresh measures for the prevention of
tho importation of arms at Koweit. Captain
Knox, tho officer appointed, proceeded to Koweit
in August 1004.
Towards the end of August 1904 the Turks,
who had hitherto supported Bin Rashid, made
overtures to Bin Saoud, and tho latter applied to
Sheikh Mubarak for advice as to how the Turkish
advances should bo met. Mubarak approached