'Persian Gulf précis. (Parts I and II)' [‎18r] (35/120)

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assertion of independence, and threatening him with punishment if the Shaikh
did not make his submission to the Sultan. This matter was brought to the
notice of the Porte, who disavowed both the telegram and the action of
the Nakih.
Soon after this the yakib again appeared at Kuwait with a message from
the Sultan deshing Shaikh Mubarak either to come to Constantinople or reside
elsewhere, away from Kuwait, on a Turkish pension. Representations were
a^ain made, and both the Sultan and the Porte disavowed all knowledge of the
NakiVs mission, and explained that rhe Turkish Government had no intention
to send troops to Kuwait or disturb the status quo.
Having failed in their attempts to overawe or cajole the Shaikh, the
Turks took rather an effective measure to force his hands. They prohibited
the export of provisions to Kuwait from Turkish territory and thus tried to
starve the town. Representations were made, and the Turks disavowed the
order in question and directed it to be rescinded.
Another move was made by the Basrah authorities They made the
nephews of the Shaikh institute a suit
Secret E., October 1902, N0 S . 11-41. against b i m i n connection with the
family estates at Fao. This case assumed such proportions that an attempt
was made to attack Kuwait by Yusuf-al-Ibrahim, who had espoused the cause
of the two nephews in connection with the murder ot their father. The Vali
of Basrah was evidently in sympathy with Yusuf. Representntions were made
and the Porte ordered the Vali to expel Yusul from Basrah and also the two
delinquent nephews of Shaikh Mubarak. The dispute between the Shaikh
and his nephews as regards the property was compromised.
In December 1901, 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. was ordered to communicate to
Pro. nos. 226 and 230in Secret e ., March 1902, the Shaikh a message iecei^i,d Irom the
Nos. 127 -357. Secretary of State in w hich it was stated
that His Majesty's Government are prepared to support Shaikh and will not
tolerate an attack by Turkish troops or ships on Kuwait. Shaikh should not
leave Kuwait, and should continue to observe his engagements with us."
19. The opening of the year 1902 witnessed further encroachments and an
effort bv Turkey "to squeeze out" Kuwait,
Secret e, july 1902, No*. 307-509. Eaiiv in that year the Turks established
posts on the borderland between the undefined Turkish and Kuwait territories
at the west corner of the head of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . In February, the Com
mander of the " Sphinx" went up the Khor Abdulla to enquire into the matter.
He reported that in addition to a position which they had occupied at L m Kasr
(claimed by Kuwait) the Turks had for the first time about a fortnight previously
stationed a force of some 20 men on Bubiyan island which the Shaikh of Kuwait
also claims. The matter was brought to the notice of the Secretary of {State
through the Government of India, the importance of the positions seized being
pointed out, and it w as suggested that the Turks be told to quit Bubiyan imme
diately even if no protest were offered against the occupation of L m Kasr. The
question was considered in London. The
* Pro ' No " 4( "' tbtd ' following* memorandum, dated 21st
March, by the Marquis of Lansdowne shows the trend of policy at the time:—
«' The situation at Kuwait is becoming more and more embarrassing and
the time has come for looking it in the face.
We have saddled ourselves with an impossible client in the form of the
Shaikh. He is apparently an untrustworthy savage. No one knows where his
possessions begin and end, and our obligations towards him are as ill-detined as
the boundaries of his principality.
" We have distinctly announced that he does not enjoy British " protec
tion ;" on the other hand, we once made him a present of 1,000/., and promised
him our " good offices," whatever that may mean. When we made this pro
mise we were, 1 feel no doubt, thinking of Kuwait proper, if there is such a
thing, and not of Bubiyan or other outskirts, over w hich the Shaikh has rights
of one sort or another We have up to the present sheltered ourselv( s not
unsuccessfully, during our discussion with the Turks on the one side and
foreign Governments on the other, behind the plausible announcement that
we desired to maintain the status quo in regard to Kuwait. But I doubt