Page 62 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

5(3
Abdulla, near Bunder Zobcir. They were once
the pirates of the north of the Persian Gull',
and wero expelled from their former stronghold
by the Bussorah authorities. They came down
the Bubiyan Creek and settled on the southern
shore of the “ Bay of Grane,” where they built
a fort or “ koto," whence the name Koweit is
derived.
Limits.
Tho limits of Koweit have never been aeon- India Office,
rately, or, indeed, even approximately, defined. 1902,
Tho claims of tho Sheikh extend on the south as
far as Musnlamiyn Bay, but the British Resident
was of opinion that llioy could not ho supported,
and that this place was clearly within the sphere
of Turkish influence.
On the north they include Sal'wnn, Urn Kasr,
and Subiyn on the mainland, and tho islands of
Warba and Bubiyan. Much correspondence
took place in 1902 in regard to the nature of
these claims, owing to a forward move of the
Turks, who erected a fort at Cm Kasr, and
established a military post at llas-al-Ueit on
Bubiyan Island.
As regards Safwan, it was considered doubtful India Offico,
whether the Sheikh’s claims could be maintained, February ft, 1902.
as they rested upon tho shifting allegiance of
migratory tribes.
In a report on Um Kasr, Captain Smyth, who Sir N. O'Conor,
made a special survey of the proposed trace of j^lo 13*, 1901.
the Bagdad Railway in 1901, observes that he Sir N. O’Conor,
learned, on the spot that the old fort of Um Telegraphic,
Kasr is generally held to have been built by the Murch 1G, 1902.
grandfather of Sheikh Mubarek, and that it was
occasionally occupied during the spring months
by Arabs from Koweit. Mr. Wrafcislaw, llis
Majesty’s Consul at Bussorah, stated that while
it was highly desirable to secure control over
Um Kasr, the Sheikh had only a very shadowy
claim to it, and it had been uninhabited for
many years, On the other hand, the Turks
seemed to have little claim beyond that of actual
occupation.
“ His claim to Bubiyan Island,” Mr. Wratislaw
continued, “ is in my opinion good. "For some
months every year regularly it is used as a
fishing ground by Arabs acknowledging his
authority, and by no others.”
The claim to Subiva was supported by llis Sir N. <)V«>nor.
Majesty's Government, and, with a view to Tolegniphir,
Marrh 2l», 1902.