'Situation of Persian Gulf Residency. Arguments for and against Kowiet and Bahrein as alternatives to Bushire' [‎1v] (2/6)

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(i) Although natural harbour is probably best in Gulf, it is undeveloped, and
embarkation and disembarkation from steamers involve considerable difficulty
at low tide.
{j) Present sea communication, which is by slow Gulf mail calling weekly on
journey to Basrah, but only fortnightly on journey from Basrah, is unsatisfactory.
The nnpunctuality of this service is the cause of endless complaint.
(k) Situation at extreme northern limit of Resident's charge makes headquarters
unnecessarily far from India and from Muscat and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , which
requires more of the Resident's personal attention than it has received in the
past.
(Z) Lack of security owing to liability to raids from desert.
(m) Absence of wireless and ease with which land line can be cut by raiders.
Of these defects the following can be remedied :—
(6) by building suitable Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. on suitable site which is available ;
(cZ) by coming to an understanding with Bin Saud. This would probably be
facilitated by transfer of Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. to Kuwait as this should kill Bin Saud's
hope of forcing Shaikh to submit to absorption by Najd State;
(e) by making tennis courts and playing fields for staff and clerks who would
accompany Resident;
(/) Government would presumably supply Resident and his stalf with these
necessities in the climate of the Gulf ;
(g) Government might consider question of condensing plant;
{i) building of a Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. pier would meet this drawback ;
(j) arrangements could probably be made for fast mail to call weekly. Owing to
proximity of Basrah, this, though great convenience which would make move
popular with inhabitants, is not such a vital necessity as it would be in the
case of Bahrain ;
(l) although raids have been conducted up to walls of Kuwait no attempt has been
made to attack the town. The Kesidency would be safer than the Sabzabad
Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in time of tribal trouble.
Shaikh of Kuwait, who looks upon himself as bone between the two dogs Iraq and
Bin Saud, would welcome location of Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in his territory as he would consider
it as Government guarantee to preserve his independence. He anticipates move
would settle his quarrel with Bin Saud and bring increased trade.
In my opinion the greatest objection to Kuwait is its isolation at one extremity of
the Gulf and the consequent difficulty of keeping adequate touch with Oman. Close
liaison with Consular authorities in Khuzistan would be possible, but the move will
decrease touch with the Persian coast south of Bushire.
C. C. J. Barrett , Lieut-Colonel,
Political Hesident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
II.—Relative merits of KOWEIT and BAHREIN.
Telegram P. No. 2481 8., dated the ]4th August 1929, jrom the Foreign Secretary to
the Government of India, Simla, to the Political Piesident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
What are relative merits of Koweit and Bahrein ? Enquiry at this stage is only
hypothetical, of course.
This is with reference to your express message No. 293 S.
Letter No. 354 S. of 1929 from the Hon. lAeut.-Col. C. C. J. Barrett, 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 Persiaii Gulf, to the Foreign Secretary to the Government
of India, Simla.
Relative merits of Kuwait and Bahrain as Headquarters of 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. .
Sir,
I have the honour to reply as follows to the inquiry in your telegram No. 2481 S.,
dated the 14th August 1929.