File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎127r] (258/566)

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No. 1719 (Confidential), dated Bushire, the 26 th June (received 4 th July) 1910 .
From— Lieutenant-Colonel P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—J. B. Wood. Esq., I.C.S., Officiating Secretary to the Government of India
in the Foreign Department, Simla.
In continuation of the correspondence ending with my letter No. 1608, dated
l6th June 1910, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Govern-
• No. C..36,dated .s>h June ,9.0. ment of India a copy of an interesting
letter* from the 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. at Kuwait
in which he discusses the interest evinced by the present Wali of Basrah in
matters concerning Kuwait, and the policy to be expected of the new regime oi
which Nazif Bey’s attitude is undoubtedly an index.
Copy of a letter No. C.-^6 t {Confidential,) dated Kuwait, the I$th June 1910,
from Captain W. H. /. Shakespear, I.A., 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. , Kuwait, to the
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
I have the honour to invite a reference to certain items in my diaryf for the
tExtract attached current week relating to the reported in-
rExtract attached. ^ ^ terest of the present Wali of Basrah in
matters concerning Kuwait. I have referred to the same subject in recent reports
dealing with other matters but as further information seems to point to the fact
that the question of the exact status of Kuwait as between Turkey and Great
Britain before very long will inevitably be forced upon us for some definite
solution, I am led to put before you such information as has so far come to my
knowledge and brought me to this conclusion.
2. In October 1909 I heard from Muhammerah that Shaikh Mubarak’s
Secretary, Abdul Aziz bin Salim bin Badr, was reported to be trying to bring
about a closer union between Kuwait and the Turkish Government. I did not
credit the report at the time and have had no reason to do so later, for the man
himself was imprisoned by the Turks for some considerable time in Basrah and
has no particular cause to regard them with affection, though no doubt he might
be willing to act as their tool for a substantial consideration. Shaikh Mubarak
also trusts him more than any other person of his entourage which I think would
be unlikely if he knew or had the slightest reason to suspect him of any intrigue.
He is, however, always employed as the Shaikh’s confidential agent in matters
at Basrah.
3. In October 1909 the present Wali, Suliman Nathif Bey, arrived at Basrah
and at once began to show his mettle by summary orders for the general improve
ment of local conditions in Basrah. He also began cultivating Shaikh Mubarak’s
friendship most assiduously. Meetings between tlie Wali and the Shaikh
became far more frequent than has been the case with former incumbents; and,
wherever possible, the Wali has done his best to attract Mubarak with assistance
in matters which closely affect his pocket. The Shaikh in discussing the Wali
to me said that though the Wali was always talking about impossible schemes
he had undoubtedly done much for Mubarak himself, especially in regard to his
properties at Fao where he had put an end to all difficulties in the repairing of
his date-garden embankments, encroachments by the Turkish military authorities,
etc., by going down himself and issuing the requisite orders in person. He had
also obtained from Constantinople the rescission of the suspensory orders which
had created so much of the difficulty about his Fadhagiya property.
4. Against these benefits we have the reported proposals of the Wali to
connect Kuwait and Basrah by telegraph, to despatch Turkish officers in charge
of Kuwaiti gendarmerie to A 1 Hasa, the Wall’s insistence on the registration
of the Shaikh’s sons as Turkish subjects as a preliminary to the legal transfer of
his Fadhagiya property, and the latest rumours of a Turkish detachment for
Kuwait itself, the offer of official Turkish recognition of Mubarak as respon
sible for practically the whole of North-West Arabia, enquiries as to the flag