'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Koweit [Kuwait] Affairs, 1896-1904' [‎30] (47/132)

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callecl on bim again at night and he received them in the prpsence of some of the principal
men of Koweit. They explained to those present the nature of their intentions as regards
the exteusi. n of the railway to Koweit, the facilities it would afford to trade, the develop
ment or the place, and the general benefit it would be to every one. That on the following
morning early they had a confidential interview with him. They told him they ha^ a con
cession from the Sultan of Turkey to build railways in his dominions, the Sultan has vast
vested interest in the concern, and has guaranteed it, to make it a success they desire to extend
the line of Kathama Bay, thei/ wanted to buy Kathama right out, and obtain on lease Chawai.
club and Al Aghtht ; that their present visit was only for the purpose of conveying to him
the German Ambassado s greetirgs and, to try and come to some understanding as
regards the land mentioned, they wished to obtain his co-operation and support, and they also
desire him to "se his friendly influeuce with the numerous Arab Sheikhs, through whose
territories, in the Euphrates valley, the line will pass, and induce them to co-operate with the
Company as they believed he had aathority and influence over them. That would be
handsomely paid for any land purchased, and leased, and that they will satisfy the petty tribes
and Sheikhs who claim the lands for grazing purposes. That the trade of the place will
increase extensively, and consequently his revenue will improve considerably, and the value of
property will go up twenty-fold. That the place will become the centre of trade in fact
another Bombay, and that there will be plenty of work for everybody. That a line of lame
merchant vessels will be established to feed the railway, and for convevance of cargo and
passengers. That if he comes to an arrangement with the Eailway Company and agrees
to therr proposals he and hs successors will have the support of Germany, both bt land and
water, and a man-of-war wile he stationed at the place for its protection.
Sheikh Mubarak declared that, in reply, he told them that he did not understand whether
they had come on their own account or on behalf of the Sultan, if on behalf of the Sultan
then he would have g,ven them a letter to him. That he desired them to understand that
he only acknowledged the Sultan of Turkey a. the W of the Mahomedan world, and does not
consider himself a subject of Turkey, and does not acknowledge Turkish sovereignty over Koweit
territory ; and if any demands are made to him by the Sultan they will be rejected. That
on the other hand, neither he or the Arabs wish foreigners to obtain a footing in their territory
and he will not agree to th ^ir proposals as the Arabs will not consent to their plains and grarin^
nf fh v e' 11 ^ hy foreigners for a railway, also he could not guarantee the safety
of the line or be responsible for any bloodshed as the Arabs are a free and an independent
people. As regards his using his influence over the other Arab Sheikhs, he told them that
lus nominal authority was" limited to the district of Kov^it, and he had no influence or
authoiity over the Arab Chiefs in the Euphrates valley, he therefore cannot help them.
Sheikh Mubarak further stated that after hearing his reply the Germans told him that
they were very anxious to come to an amicable understanding with him, and obtain his friendly
support that they were returning overland to Constantinople, to arrange matters, and from
there, the German Ambassador will either communicate by letter to him the final terms thov
, Wls " ^ m ake, or else depute a special peison to arrange terms with him.
The German finally offered him presents, which he refused saying that he never accented
presents from guests. epoeu
, 1 1 ;" A 1 , A Pl? enf,ix E ' 88 to - the communication made at Constantinople
about the British policy. A complete account ot the prowess of the Droiectpd
German Railway will be found in the Precis of Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. .
XV.-Proposal to make Koweit a Port of call for Mail steamers
July 1900—June 1901. '
t J v 90 S ari at, ' e " 1 P t W: ' s made to establish a weekly cill at Koweit
of the British India Company s steamers. Mr. Lyle, an Asent of Messrs Gray
Mackenzie and Co., of Basrah, was well received by the Sheikh, who'made
however, the'mportant stipulation that the call of steamers should not brin"
with it the establishment ot quarantine. The Turkish authorities, who were
paying much attention to Koweit, would almost certainly enforce at that place
as at Basrah, a ten days quarantine against arrivals from all ports other than
Turkish. It was generally agreed that this extension of quarantine would both
be ruinous to the trade ot Koweit and undesirable as increasina' the infln^JZ
of Turkey in the Gulf. Colonel Kemball further pointed out tliat, in the event
ot Her Majesty s Government maKing successful representations to the Porte
against a quarantine for Koweit, the Sheikh would be subjected to a -eneral
system of reprisals and bis town treated as a foreign port (a similar difficulty
having already presented itself in connection with the Sheikh's property in
lurkish ternrory). 1 ^ ^
^ 117. The question was solved for the moment by the Sheikh withdrawing'
his consent to the scheme The withdrawal was not, however, conrcved in very
decided teims, the compulsion of extraneous influence was'apparent and it
rtTfuturedate nelKemballtllat biS ob j ections wo " ld be removed