File 1855/1904 Pt 10 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikh's properties at Fao and Fadaghia' [‎83r] (165/398)

comply with the Turkish demand, perhaps unknown to us until too late, and it is
for this reason I would be elad of something of a reassuring nature which I can
communicate to the Sheik£ I have told him that I am putting the matter before
you in detail and advised nim to await the decision of His Majesty’s Govern-
9. Though an unpleasant question to handle in view of the regeneration of
Turkey it would seem that we are now confronted with the solution of the posi
tion of Koweit as between an independent Sheikhdom or a vassal appanage of
Turkey. The Sheikh is an old man, anxious not to lose a valuable property nor
its revenues during his own lifetime, and in the absence of some solid assistance
which will permanently relieve him of his present difficulty is quite capable of
safeguarding his undoubted rights by compliance with Turkish dfemands and
pleading “ force majeure ” to us. I was told once that he himself had cynically
remarked that it would be for his son Jabir and not for him in his own lifetime to
fight out the position of Koweit between the Turks and the English and while he
thanked God it would be so, he pitied Jabir. The present Wali of Basrah loses
. " 0 opportunity of trying to bring Turkish influence actually into Koweit and to
^ identify Koweit with Basrah—witness the Koweit-Basrah telegraph idea, the sug-
gestibn for Koweit gendarmerie for A 1 Hassa under Turkish officers, ’ and the
frequent meetings between Sheikh Mubarak and the Wali.
10. That Sheikh Mubarak is aware his port and country stand to lose by
definitely becoming subject to Turkey is I think true, but he has now reached an
age (some 7 2 years) when he is also inclined to favour a prospect ensuring him
ease and freedom from Turkish worries during his remaining years and to add
‘aprds nous le deluge
. In reply to your letter No. 1280 of May 22nd last on the subject of the
registration of Sheikh Mubarak’s property at Fadaghia, I have the honour to state
that, accordmg to information I have received here, orders were sent by the
Sublime Porte to the effect that Sheikh Mubarak may transfer his property in the
names of his four sons, as he asked in Mahram Bey’s time, provided he registers
them as Ottoman subjects. &
I understand Slieikh Mubarak has on many occasions applied to have the
land transferred in the names of his sons but that he does not agree to take out
1 eskerehs of Ottoman nationality for them and. on his rprpnt visit- tr> RacnV. I
ment.
No. 20.
Sir,
Basrah,
6th June igio.
I have, etc.,
F. E. CROW,
Lieutenant-Colonel P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., C.I.E.,
His Britannic Majesty’s Resident and Consul-General,
Bushire.