'Memorandum respecting British interests in the Persian Gulf' [‎47r] (59/126)

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Sir N. O’Conor,
No. 153,
April 1, 1902.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
October 10, 1902.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
December 4, 1901.
To India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
October 13,1902.
To India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
October 16, 1902.
Sir N. O’Conor,
No. 508,
November 20,
1902.
Assertion of Sheikh’s claim to
Bubiyan and Warba Islands.
the anchorages below Um Kasr* could at any
time be converted into an impregnable harbour.
Sir N. O’Conor made repeated representations
to the Ottoman Government, but they proved
entirely futile in their effect, in so far as the
withdrawal of the post on Bubiyan was
concerned. As regards Um Kasr and Bubiyan
Island, Sir N. O’Conor informed the Porte that the
Turkish occupation could not be regarded as in
any way prejudicing the Sheikh’s rights and
authority over them. He intimated that, if the
Ottoman Government proceeded to bring matters
to a crisis, he would advise his Government not to
allow further encroachment, and, if necessary, to
prevent it by force.
The Turkish advance to Subiya was arrested,
probably owing to the presence of British war
ships.
In October 1902, the Government of India
reported a request made by Sheikh Mubarak for
the gift of two or three guns, presumably to be
placed at Jehara for the protection of Koweit
against iand attack. They proposed to give a
refusal, but to intimate to him that His Majesty’s
Government undertook to defend the Koweit
district, provided he complied with the injunction
already conveyed to him to observe his engage
ment to His Majesty’s Government, and to follow'
their advice. Lord Lansdow ne concurred in the
proposed reply, on the understanding that the
“ Koweit district ” should be clearly defined as
the district adjoining or close to the bay of that
name. A telegram to this effect was accord
ingly sent to the Government of India.
In reference to an Arab raid from Nejd, made
with the cognizance of the Yali of Bussorah,
pressure was brought upon the Porte to caution
the Yali, and a warning given that His Majesty’s
Government would not allow an attack upon
K oweit.
The importance of securing the withdraw al of
the Turkish post from Ras-al-Geit, and of assert
ing the Sheikh’s claim to Bubiyan, and if
possible to Warba, was emphasized by an Inter-
Departmental Committee in October 1907.
After entirely concurring in the views of the
Government of India:, the Committee continued:—
* It has been suggested that the importance of Um Kasr
and Warba Roads is minimized, because the approaches
through the Khor Abdulla are becoming silted up. But this
appears to rest merely on hearsay and inexpert information.
[1098] S
64
“ We therefore recommend, if diplomatic con
siderations permit, that the Sheikh of Koweit
should be invited to specify the nature of his
claims to Warba Island, to which he is under
stood frequently to have 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 Majesty’s Government), should
be neutralized by the establishment forthwith of
a Koweiti post, with the countenance of His
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 the establishment of
posts on both islands.
“ We desire to emphasize the importance
which we attach to the effective assertion of the
Sheikh’s territorial claims to Bubiyan.”
The Admiralty concurred in these recommen
dations, and Sir E. Grey was of opinion that,
while it would be desirable to assert any rights
which the Sheikh might possess in respect of
AVarba Island, his jurisdiction over Bubiyan
should be resolutely supported by His Majesty’s
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 the Sheikh’s claim to Warba,
and this is now being done.
On the 15th October, 1907, a Secret Agreement
was signed with the Sheikh 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The Agreement
includes rights of pre-emption in regard to Ras
Kathama, Warba, and any territory over which
the Sheikh may exercise jurisdiction.
This Agreement, and the appointment in 1903
of a British Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. 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
Failaka Island or on Kubbar Island (which is
considered necessary for navigation purposes)
and the erection of a wireless telegraphic
Admiralty,
November 9, 1907.
To India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
November 12,
1907.
Government of
India, February 4,
1904.
Lighthouse.
Wireless Telegraphy.