Page 70 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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" Wo thcroforo recommend, if diplomatic con­
siderations permit, that the Sheikh of Koweit
should bo incited to specify the nature of his
claims to Warba Island, to which he is under­
stood frequently to havo referred; and that the
continued occupation of Bubiyan Island by a
Turkish post, in derogation of the Sheikh’s terri­
torial claims (which have been recognized and
supported by His Mnjestyj3 Government), should
be neutralized by tho establishment forthwith of
a Koweiti post, with the countenance of II is
Majesty’s Government, on Warba Island, or, if
that should prove undesirable, on the northern
shore of Bubiyau Island. If practicable, we
would even recommend tho establishment of
posts on both islands.
“ We desire to emphasize tho importance
which we attach to the effective assertion of the
Sheikh’s territorial claims to Bubiyan.”
Tho Admiralty concurred in these recommen- Admiralty,^
, 1907.
dations, and Sir E. Grey was of opinion that,
To India Office,
while it would bo desirable to assert any rights November 12,
which tho Sheikh might possess in respect of 1907.
Government of
Warba Island, his# jurisdiction over Bubiyan India, February 4,
should be resolutely supported by His Majesty’s 190J*
Government on the grounds so forcibly stated by
the Government of India.
It was decided, in the first instance, to ascer­
tain the nature of tho Sheikh’s claim to Warba,
and this is now being done.
On tho 15th October, 1907, a Secret Agreement
was signed with thewSheikh of Koweit, granting
to His Majesty’s Government, for a yearly rental
of 4,000/., a perpetual lease of a portion of the
foreshore at Bunder Shweikh (near Koweit),
which is held, on topographical and hydro-
graphical considerations, to possess greater capa­
bilities as a railway terminus than any other
place on tho Persian Gulf. Tho Agreement
includes rights of pre-emption in regard to Has
Katliama, Warba, and any territory over which
the Sheikh may exercise jurisdiction.
This Agreement, and the appointment in 1903
of a British Political Agent to reside at Koweit,
have done much to strengthen our position.
.Further measures which may be considered
advisable are the construction of a lighthouse on Lighthouse.
Pailaka Island or on Kubbar Island (which is
considered necessary for navigation purposes)
and the erection of a wireless telegraphio Wireless Telegraphy.