Page 67 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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1001. tho controversy rested for the moment on the
basis of a mutual maintenance of the status quo.
The Turkish Ambassador expressed himself well
satisfied with this state of affairs (October 1),
and on tho same day Sir N. O’Conor was assured
by the Minister for Foreign Affairs “ most, posi­
tively that the Imperial Government had no
intention whatsoever of occupying or attacking
Kowoit.” An understanding was arrived at that
the two Governments were to co-operate in main­
taining the peace, Turkey endeavouring to re­
strain the Amir of Ncjd, while Her Majesty's
Government would do what they could to dis­
courage the Sheikh from aggressive action,
and Mubarck was told that the good offices
of ilis Majesty*s Government would be ex­
tended to him only if he followed their advice
On the Uth September, 1901, a further
communication was made to Count Mettcrnich.
To Sir F. Lasocllea, A Memorandum upon various subjects, inelud-
Nos. 301 and 312,
September 11 ing Koweit, drawn up by Lord Lousdowne for
and 12,1901. the King’s personal use, and handed by His
Majesty to the German Emperor at a recent
meeting, had elicited a formal reply from the
German Government which Count Mettcrnich
had lately left at the Foreign Office.
It was now explained to his Excellency that the
Memorandum, which had been hastily prepared,
was a purely infonnul and unofficial document
The statement which it contained respecting
Koweit was a repetition of Sir N. O’Conor’s
language in 1900, which was to the effect that Her
Majesty's Government had no desire to interfere
with the Sultan’s authority as it exists in those
parts. There could he no doubt that this authority
was of a very limited description. The Sheikh be­
longed to a class of native Chiefs enjoying a large
measure of practical independence with whom His
Majesty's Government found it necessary to have
direct relations for the sake of the maintenance
of tranquillity and t he protection of British trade.
Therefore, although ready to maintain the status
quo, His Majesty’s Government had been unable to
acquiesce in attempts recently made by Turkey
to impose on the Sheikh conditions from which
he had hitherto been free. They had considered it
a matter for direct aud friendly discussion with
the Forte, who now regarded the incident as closed,
and Count Mettcrnich was informed of the
assurances exchanged.
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