'File 73/7 V (D 38) Status of Kuwait, Anglo-Turkish Convention' [‎25v] (63/216)

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As to article 8, it is expressly laid down that the persons arrested shall be handed
over to the c< competent authorities < these anthoiities would be those leco^nised
under the Capitulations arrests would, it is true, becamed out in the first instance
by the Commission's police, but only m so far as it otherwise nughube m practice
impossible to effect anests at all, and immediately after such arrests the consul
concerned would be notified and the piiscnei handed over to him. Save in such
entirely exceptional en cum stances, anests would, in puisuance of the declaicition.
of 21st October, be effected in the normal manner through the consul concerned.
You should discuss the subject fully with Russian Minister foi Foreign Affairs
and endeavour to induce his Excellency to withdiaw his objections with the least
possible delay, basing your arguments on the terms of the additional declaratior
of 21st October. If, however, you are not successful you should telegraph the piecise
w T ording which would be acceptable to his Excellency.
(Repeated to Constantinople, No. 555.)
(Received on the 21st December 1913, with Political Secretary's letter No. 49, dated the
5th December 1913.)
CONFIDENTIAL.
Mr. O'Beirne to Sir Edward Grey .—{Received November 29).
'St. Petersburgh, November 29, 1913,
No. 396. ) R.
{November 29,12 58 'p.m.)
Your telegram No 764 of 26th November ; Shatt-el-Arab Riverain Commis
sion .
I pressed the Minister for Foreign Affaiis for a reply.
He said that the Russian Government had not the least desire to make difficul
ties for the Commission, but that the piovisicns of article 7 and article 8 of the
Anglo-Tuihish Convention wore not consistent with the additional declaration.
Russia could not agree to the diminution of her rights under the capitulation, which
would be involved by the enforcement of the above-mentioned articles. He would,
however, gladly accept any suggestion which w^ould enable her to escape this
difficulty without " loss of face " as regards treaty rights.
If no such arrangement as suggested by the Russian Ambassador (Constanti
nople telegram No. 580 ) can be considered by His
Majesty's Government, I mipht endeavour to induce the Russian Government to
enter into an arrangement with us by which they would delegate the functions of
the Russian consul ad hoc to the British commissioner, who w r ould keep Russian
consulate fully informed of matters affecting Russian subjects. 1 could argue that
this involves no diminution of treaty rights.
{Received on the 21 at December 1913, with Political Secretan/s letter No. 49, dated the
5th December 1913.)
CONFIDENTIAL.
Mr. O'Beirne to Sir Edward Grey.—{Received December 1,3'50 f.m.)
St. Petersburg]!, December 1, 1913.
(No. 397.) R.
December 1, 1-54 p.m.)
Your telegram No. 769 of 29th November : Shatt-el-Arab: Riverain Commis
sion.
"Before I could arrange for discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs
I received from him an aide-memoire to the following effect ■—
Additional declaration is in contradiction to articles 7 and 8 of the convention,
because, under the Captitulations, all taxes on Russian subjects require sanction of