'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Koweit [Kuwait] Affairs, 1896-1904' [‎20] (37/132)

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Indialto the telegram of 24tli December—see paragraph 52 above) at the instance
of the Foreign Office to instruct His Excellency the Viceroy as in the telegram
of 6th January already quoted.
60. The Government of India thereupon (under orders of His Excellency
Lord Curzon) telegraphed to the Political Hesident as follows on 8th January
1899
" " Government desire to take immediate steps "with utmost spcrecy possible in order to
avoid suspicions attaching to open protectorote to obtain engagements from Sheikh of Koweit
not fco cede, lease, mortgage or otherwise alienate or give for occupation any portion of his
territory to the Government or subject of any other power without obtaining previous consent
of Her Majesty's Government. For this purpose they are prepared to offer 5^000 pounds sterling
or even more if absolutely necessary to Sheikh. Please telegraph immediately how you propose
to effect this negotiation and if you go to Koweit whether you go in " Lawrence " or in man-of-
war ; also whether present naval force is sufficient in Gulf."
61. This telegram was repeated to the Secretary of State on 9th January
with the addition
" Proposed negotiations y if successful, seem to involve ultimate protectorate"
62. There passed then the following telegraphic correspondence between
Colonel Meade, His Excellency the Viceroy and the Secretary of State:—
No. 695. (1) Telegram P., dated the 8th January 1899.
From—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. , Bush ire,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
Your Secret telegram. Kcweit. I propose goingr myself in ^Lawrence" ostensibly for
the purpose of enquiry into the arms traffic, and can arrange trip without causing remark, as I
have given out I propose shooting at Kharaj, from which I will cross to Koweit by night. I
will start as soon as possible on hearing from you, and will negotiate the terms of agreement
which should be made binding on present Sheikhas succ^sor as well as on himself, I would,
however, venture to suggest instead of sum down I may be authorised (to) arrange yearly
subsidy, conditional on scrupalous observance of the terms by the Sheikh of Koweit, a limit of,
say, 1,000 pounds sterling per annum being given. 1 think also that I may be allowed to
assure him of our good offices as long as he adheres to agreement, for, if the other Sheikh's sons
overcome Mubarak, they may not con-ider themselves bound by agraement with him ; while,
if he has our support, he will probably easily hold his own. As only secret arrangement is
contemplated at present, it seems undesirable to attract attention to this part of Gulf and no
increase of naval force here is necessary ; but if gun boat required Maskat, she should be sent
from India and a Cruiser may be held in readiness to come if required.
No - 596 ' (2) Telegram P., No. 68-E.A., dated the Mth January 1899.
From—His Excellency the Viceroy, Calcutta,
To—Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, London.
Would not agreement concluded by Talbot with Trucial Chiefs in 1892 supply best model
for Koweit agreement with additions named by Meade ? I think terms suggested by Meade
are exorbitant, and that Sheikh would probably sign without subsidy or for much smaller
subsidy. la the meantime, Meade is doing nothing until arrival of your instructions.
No. 600. (3) Telegram P., dated the 17th January 1899.
From—Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, London,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Calcutta.
Koweit. Your Foreign Secret telegram of 14th January. I prefer terms of declaration
dated ^Oth March 1891, with Maskat to those of agreement in 1»92 with the Trucial Chiefs,
which goes beyond necessity of the case. I intended that Sheikh of Koweit should bind him
self and his successor. I agree with you as to Meade's terms being excessivs, and if you
think that an annual subsidy is preferable, I think two hundred pounds sterling per annum
ought to suffice, but I am ready to leave it to your discretion.