'Memorandum respecting Koweit' [‎145v] (6/27)

6
During Hamdi's first tenure of office ]VIulKiitili
had procured the murder oL his two brothers and
usurped the Sheikhdom, Hamdi supported the
claims of two nephews, urging upon the Porte
the necessity for eifective occupation of Koweit
and the danger of recognizing a determined
usurper who would aim at independence. For the
moment, Mubarak's position was precarious, but
with much energy and decision he succeeded in
buying every official of any importance and,
finally, secured his investiture.
Two years later the reappointment of TIamdi
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. seemed to forebode the revival oi a counter
claim on behalf of the nephews, and, with it, in
all probability, a reassertion of the dormant rights
of Turkey.
The outward and visible sign of Turkish
supremacy in Koweit was the acceptance by the
Sheikh of the post of Kaimakam, but though
this is frequently mentioned in despatches, it Mr. Stavrides in
Mr Herbert
seems, if Mr. Stavrides' view is correct, to be j uly 6j 1896 '.
little more than a formal dignity incidental to the
investiture, and accepted in respect of the property
of the Sheikhs in Turkish territory.
A local Quarantine Board on several occasions Difficulties with
attempted to impose illegal and vexatious restric
tions on British vessels in the GuM, but its
protests were disregarded when clearly contrary 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. ,
to the Venice Convention, and Colonel Meade June 21 ' 1899 "
understood that ''the Quarantine arrangements
under the Sanitary Board at Constantinople in no
way implied that the Turks have any sort of
jurisdiction or rights at Koweit."
In September it was reported that a Turkish
Harbour-master had been appointed. This was
considered a more serious matter, and for the
first time since the conclusion of the Agreement
it was proposed to intimate to the Porte the
interest taken by the British Government in the
Sheikh's affairs.
After consultation with 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. , Sir
N. O'Conor was informed by telegraph that this To Sir N.O 'Conor,
No. 87,
" was not a matter we could recognize as depending Telegraphic,
on the Porte. Turkish frovernment should be warned Sc P teIin ^ er8 > 1899.
that we have friendly relations with the Sheikh, and
that a disagreeable question would be raised if it
was attempted to establish Turkish customs without
previous agreement with Her Majesty's Government."
A srun-boat was ordered to Koweit, but, at the Sir N. O'Conor,
No 41
suggestion of Sir N. O'Conor, it was afterwards Telegraphic,
directed merely to call at Koweit and to come September 12.