The Date Gardens in Iraq of the Sheikhs of Koweit [Kuwait] and Mohammerah. Scope of undertakings given by HM Government in 1914. Case for the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown and Opinion thereon T W H Inskip and F B Merriman, Law Officers' Department, 29 Mar 1933. inc The date gardens in Iraq of the Sheikhs of Koweit and Mohammerah. Historical summary [undated] [‎5v] (10/70)

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DOCUMENT 1.
Letter dated 3rd November, 1914, from 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 the Ruler of Kuwait and Dependencies, Kuwait.
After compliments.
In continuation of previous letter intimating the outbreak of
war between the British Government and Turkey, I am ordered by
the British Government to convey to your Excellency gratitude for
your loyalty and your offer of assistance, and to request you to attack
Umm Qasr Safwan and Bubiyan and to occupy them. You should
endeavour, afterwards, in co-operation with Shaikh Sir Khazai
Khan, Amir Abdul Azin bin Saud and other reliable Shaikhs to
liberate Basrah from Turkish possession. Should this prove to be
beyond your ability, you should make arrangements, if possible, to
prevent Turkish reinforcements from reaching Basrah or even
Qurnah, until the arrival of the British troops whom we shall send,
please God, as soon as possible. T also hope that two of our men-
of-war will reach Basrah before the arrival of your troops there.
And though it should be your highest aim, in this connection, to
liberate Basrah and its people from Turkish rule, still we request
that you should use your utmost endeavour in preventing troops and
others from plundering the merchandise belonging to British mer
chants in Basrah and its dependencies, to protect the European resi
dents of Basrah and to safeguard them from loss and oppression.
In return for your valuable assistance in this important matter, I
am ordered by the British Government to promise to Your
Excellency that if we succeed therein—and we shall succeed therein,
please God—we will not return Basrah to the Turkish Government,
and we will not surrender it back to them at all. Furthermore I
make to you, on behalf of the British Government, certain promises
concerning Your Excellency personally, viz. :—
(1) that your gardens which are now in your posses
sions, viz., the date gardens situate between Fao and Qurnah,
shall remain in your possession and in possession of your
descendants without being subject to the payment of taxes or
imposts;
(2) that if you attack Safwan, Umm Qasr and Bubiyan
and occupy them, the British Government will protect you
from any consequences arising from that action;
(3) that the British Government does recognise and
admit that the Shaikhdom of Kuwait is an independent
Government under British protection.
I request that you will be good enough to read the enclosed
letter and transmit the same to the Amir of Najd at the earliest
convenience. I have addressed a letter to the Shaikh of Moham-
merah similar to this I am writing you.
I
I am confident of your old-established friendship with the
exalted Government, and I believe that Your Excellency will use
your endeavour in these important matters, in every respect.
I avail myself of this opportunity to assure you of my high
esteem, and may you continue to remain preserved and salaams.
(Signed) S. G. KNOX,
Resident and H.B.M.'s Consul General in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .