'Persian Gulf précis. (Parts I and II)' [‎15v] (30/120)

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harbour of Kathama or any otlier part of his territory without the consent of
Her Majesty's Government * * * . In the course of conversation, he said
that Kuwait was a part of the Turkish Empire, to which I promptly replied
that we did not want to disturb the status quo, but that the Shaikh was not a
free agent * * * /'
At the same time Sir N. O'Conor informed Tewfik Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. that—
"Her Majesty's Government did not desire to interfere with the status
quo or with the Sultan's authority in
Secret E, October 1900, Nos. 175-281. ^ ^ in ^ iew of
great interests in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , they could not view with indifference any
action which would alter the existing condition of affairs or give another
Power special rights or privileges over territory belonging to the Shaikh, with
whom Her Majesty's Government had certain agreements".
Meanwhile, however, it was reported that the German Railway
Company had taken the matter into their own hands, and were already
making arrangements for the construction of a pier.
Sir N. O'Conor suggested the appointment of a British Secret Agent.
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. , when consulted, replied that " until the question of policy
was determined, the presence of a secret Agent would be a mere waste of
money
At this juncture the Admiralty forwarded a report stating that two German
steamers were expected to go to Kuwait, and enquired what would be the
policy of Her Majesty's Government in the event of a collision between
Germans and Arabs.
The reply was that Lord Salisbury scarcely thought that any definite
instructions were necessary until some confirmation was received of the reported
intention of German ships to visit Kuwait, or until there was some indication
of the methods of action they intended to pursue. If the construction of a
piev were attempted by private persons without a mandate from some recog
nised authority, the Shaikh would be within his rights in opposing such an
attempt and, in this event, if any action was to be taken by Her Majesty's
ships, it should be in support of the Shaikh's authority ".
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. concurred, while pointing out that the eventuality con
templated (in which alone action was to be taken) would in all probability
never occur.
14. After the summer of 1900, various incidents began to point to a
renewal of Turkish interest in Kuwait.
In August the first of several attempts was made to induce the Shaikh to
visit Bnsrah, and Mubarak found some difficulty in avoiding direct communi
cation with the Turkish authorities.
In October the Order of the Tmtiaz was conferred upon him as
44 Kaimakam" of Kuwait, and the " Ikdam" of the 10th November announced
that at Mubarak's request a mosque erected by him was to be called after the
name of the Sultan, the Shaikh again being given the full title of Mubarak-
es-Sabah Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Kaimakam of Kuwait.
About this time an opportunity for more effective intervention, of which
the Turkish Government were not slow to avail themselves, was afforded by
the growing dissension between Mubarak and the neighbouring ruler of
Nejd. The affair, which on its merits was little more than an inter-tribal
squabble, led to political results of such importance that it is necessary io
describe in some detail the course of the struggle.
The quarrel arose from a raid by Shaikh Abdur Rahman-bin-Paisal upon
Secret E., Febpuarv IflOl, Nos. 22-107. ^ temtOrV With the COunivaDce
and assistance or Mubarak, the move
ments being supported on the north by Sadun I'asha, a Turkish subject. Chief
of the Montefik Bedouins.
At the first news of disturbances, it was at once proposed to send Colonel
Kemball to Kuwait " to counsel Mubarak to avoid giving the Turks an excuse
for interference," and as the Agreement of 1899 had promised the good offices