'Persian Gulf précis. (Parts I and II)' [‎21v] (42/120)

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paying much attention to Kuwait, would alrmst certainly enforce at that place,
as at Basrah, a ten days' quarantine against arrivals from all ports other than
Turkish. It was generally agreed that this extension of quarantine would both
be ruinous to the trade of Kuwait and undesirable as increasing- the influence
of Turkey in the Gulf. Colonel Keraball further pointed out that, in the event
of H^r Majesty's Government making successful representations to the Porte
against a quarantine for Kuwait, the Shaikh would he subjected to a goner il
system of reprisals and his town treated as a foreign port (a similar difficulty
having already presented itself in connection with the Shaikh's property in
Turkish territory).
The question was solved for the moment by the Shaikh withdrawing his
„ „ „ , „ » consent to the scheme. The witli-
Secret E., February 1901, Nos. 22-107. -i , . . j •
drawal was not, however, conveyed in
very decided terms, the compulsion of extraneous influence was apparent, and
it seemed to Lieutenant-Colonel Kemball that the Shaikh's objections would be
removed at a future date.
In June 1901, the Shaikh intimated that he was now favourable to the
a . t ? a . v. ,om xt .01 Q 1(; scheme. It was accordinglv arranged
Secret E., October 1901, Nos. 181-315. ji , -i .1 . , ~ ', , t , 0 ,
that the mail steamers should call at
Kuwait on the upward voyage from Bombay to Basrah. The quarantine
officials at first imposed certain restrictions, but their objections were not of
as serious a character as had been anticipated, and they were not maintained.
In 1908, it was proposed by Colonel Cox to replace the rough and ready
Secret E., January 1909, Nos. 33-40. 0f quarantine at Kuwait by a
regular system. The shaikh s attitude
was unfavourable.
Eventually in 1909, it was decided to discontinue the fast mail to Kuwait,
secret e., june 1900, nos. 751 -757. the mails tor and from Kuwait being
Secret E., November 1909. N OS. 296-298. delivered at Fao by the Political
Agent's steam-la inch. This procedure solved the quarantine question.
27. Opening of a British post office at Kuwait.— The first pro-
secret e.. may 1902, Nos. 13-17. posal for opening a British post office at
Secret e ., Jaiy 1904. Nos. H20-659. Kuwait was made by the Shaikh in
November 1901. The Secretary of State agreed, but desired that-the Shaikh
should undertake not to allow the establishment of the post offices of other
countries. This undertaking was obtained in 1901, but for political reasons
the post office at Kuwait is not yet a regular post office.
In October 1910, the Government of India proposed to the Secretary of
State, on the recommendation of the local authorities, that a regular post olfice
should be established in view of the increased postal work there. The Secretary
of State rejected the proposal for the present, as in the opinion of the British
Ambassador at Constantinople it might arouse Turkish opposition.
28. Proposed settlement of the Kuwait question in connec
tion with tne Baghdad Railway.— Reference has been made to the
advantages of acquiring control over Kuwait, which are (a) a very fair harbour;
(b) a potential railway terminus; (<?) a trade depot; {d) control over piracy and
slave trade; {e) exclusion of foreign influence. Our main object twelve years
ago in entedng into relations with Kuwait was to prevent the Baghdad llailway
from reaching the Gulf, except under conditions consonant with our interests,
and to turn our position there to account in discussions regarding the terminus.
In January 1911, His Majesty's Government desired to be in a position to
discuss with the Porte a settlement of the Kuwait question, as part of an
arrangement for British participation in the Baghdad Railway. The follow
ing telegraphic correspondence shows the position up to date.
Telegram P., dated the 27tb January 1911.
From—His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, London,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Calcutta.
In the opinion of the Foreign Office, the time has come when His
Majesty's Government should bo in a poiition to discuss with the Porte a