‘British political relations with Koweit.’ [‎2r] (3/4)

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\ iceroy considered that such declaration would (l) excite the suspicions of the
neighbouring peoples, who would regard it as a prelude to annexation, and (2) provoke
jealousy of other Powers, and involve us in heavy obligations, both military and
financial. The Viceroy suggested that the better policy would be at an inter-Allied
conference to put our cards frankly on the table, explaining our special interests and
prescriptive position in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and the measures into which we have been
driven by the special protection of those interests, and to express the hope that those
interests and position might be fully recognised without need for further definition.
11. In December 1919 the Civil Commissioner at Bagdad raised again the question
of the making of a jurisdictional Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. for Koweit (which question, as will be
seen on reference to my memorandum" 1 ' in E 7915/6681/91/1921, was considered in 1911
and then left over until a settlement should have been arrived at with Turkey in regard
to the Arab littoral), but the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. considered that although the order was
desirable in itself, and there would be an advantage in issuing it at an early date, that
moment, when the question of the machinery for the administration of the mandate for
Mesopotamia was unsettled, and the effect of the mandate upon the relations of His
Majesty's Government with contiguous countries was still uncertain, did not appear
opportune for its issue, a view that was endorsed by this Office.
12. On the 9th July, 1921, the Colonial Office, who had become responsible for
policy on the Arab littoial of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , communicated an enquiry from the High
Commissioner, Bagdad, as to the status of Koweit as a result of the war, and asking
whether it could not be placed on a similar basis to that of Bahrein, and whether
an Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. could not be issued now that Turkey had lost suzerainty over
it. The Colonial Office were told in reply that, from the legal point of view and on the
supposition that there was no intention of including Koweit within the boundaries of
Mesopotamia, the status of that territory would seem to be governed by article 132 of
the Treaty of Peace.t In practice, provided some prior agreement were reached with
the Sultan of Koweit, it would appear unlikely that any foreign Power would challenge
the issue of an Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. on the lines of " The Bahrein Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. , 1913,"
although the extension of British jurisdiction, as in that order, to foreigners might
involve the prior concurrence of some foreign Powers. It was further suggested to the
Colonial Olfice that the High Commissioner, Bagdad, might be instructed to open
negotiations with the Sultan with a view to ascertaining the measure of British super
vision which the latter was prepared to accept, but that the actual issue of anv Order in
Council consolidating any agreement that might be reached with the Sultan should be
postponed until the coming into force of the Treaty of Peace with Turkev.
JOHN W. FIELD.
Foreign Office, March 29, 1922.
* Not printed
t By cuticle 132 of the Treaty of Sevres, Turkey renounced in favour of the Principal Allied Powers all
rights and hile over territories outside Europe n >t otherwise disposed of oy the treaty.
S