File 1247/1912 Pt 1 'Turkey:- Communication to Turkish Govt of agreement between Gt. Britain and Koweit, Bahrein & Trucial Chiefs. Decorations for Sheiks of Koweit, Mohammerah & Bahrein in connection with Anglo-Turkish Convention.' [‎187r] (293/336)

^ Enclosure No. 1.
No. 213, dated Bushire, the 27th November 1901 (Confidential).
From— Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, Officiating 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. in the
Persian G ulf,
To—The Sfcretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
I have the honour to report that His Brhannic Majesty’s Consul at Basrah
has forwarded to me, for disposal, a letter received by Mr. Lyle, Agent of the
British India Steam Navigation Company at Basrah, from Sheikh Mubarak of
Koweit, asking that the postal service may be extended to Koweit.
Apart from the question whether the local receipts would be sufficient to
cover the expenses of a post office at Koweit, 1 am doubtful if the measure
would be considered advisable in view of the position of His Majesty’s Govern
ment with regard to Kovveit. At present I understand that the British India
Steam Navigation Company have decided to maintain a fortnightly service
between Bombay and Kovveit, but it appears to be uncertain whether they
intend to do so permanently.
Under the circumstances, I propose to reply to Sheikh Mubarak that the
present time is not opportune for the consideration of the question of the
establishment of a post office at Koweit ; but, before I do so, I think it advis
able to ascertain the views of the Government of India on the subject.
Enclosure No. 2.
No. 156-E.-A., dated Fort William, the 20th January 1902
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department,
To— Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, Officiating 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. in the Persian
Gulf.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No 22 3, dated the
27th November 1901. regarding the wish of Sheikh Mubarak that a post office
may be opened at Koweit.
2 . The Government of India would not he unwilling to extend the postal
service to Koweit. The difficulty at present is to find a proper locus standi for
a post office at that port. The post offices hitherto maintained by the Indian
Government in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. are not separate offices.
They depend upon the Political or Consular authorities, and the Postmasters,
even if paid entirely by the Postal Department, are usually borne on the
Political or Consular establishments. If a Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. were appointed to
Kovveit, it would be simple to give him an extra allowance for conducting
the business of the post office, for which there will be a stronger case when
Koweit is, once a fortnight, made a regular port of call by the British India
steamers on their downward journey. But it is considered that the Native
AgentshouJd come first and the post office afterwards.
3 . I am to ask you to consider this suggestion and to favour the Govern
ment of India with your opinion upon it It is considered that it would be
useful, and probably agreeable, to the oheikh that we should have a Native
Agent at Koweit, and I am to enquire whether, if such appointment were made,
a suitable man can be found for it, and what, in your judgment, would be a
reasonable rate of pay to give him.