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.' [‎201r] (321/336)

Enclosure Xo. 1.
No. 10, dated the 30th January 1899 (Confidential).
From— Lieutenant-Colonel M. J. Meade, 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 The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
In continuation of recent; secret telegraphic correspondence about Koweit,
I have the honour to submit a report on the present position of affairs there, for
the mlonnation and orders of the Government of India.
2 On the receipt of your secret telegram of the 19th of January 1899
I arranged to leave Bushire in the Royal Indian Marine Steamer “ Lawrence ”
and, after visiting Kharaj Island on the 20th, I arrived at Koweit on the
mornmg of the 21st. I found a Turkish corvette, the “ Zobaf,” in the harbour
but decided not to alter my plans on that account; and sent Lieutenant-
Commander Kendall of the “Lawrence,” with Mr. J. C. Gaskin, Extra Assistant
Resident, who knows Arabic, to call on Sheikh Mubarak-bin-Subah, and tell
him that I had come and would like to make his acquaintance.
3. The Sheikh expressed his pleasure at my arrival: but begged me to
excuse his coming off to call, as, if he did, he would afterwards be obliged to
visit Turkish men-of-war, which would expose him to considerable risks. I was
prepared for this, and told Mr. Gaskin to inform Mubarak that I would not
press him to come on board the “ Lawrencebut hoped he would send a confi
dential i^piesentative from himself to see me, as I had certain communications
to make.
4. Accordingly, on the following morning, one of the Sheikh’s brothers,
who have sided with him, Sheikh Hamud-bin-Subah, came off and had a
private interview with me, during which I informed him that Sheikh Muba-
rik’s request to be brought within the sphere of British influence had come to
the notice of Her Majesty’s Government, who. were prepared to have a secret
understanding with him on certain conditions. The terms of the proposed
agreement were then carefully explained to Sheikh Hamud, who said that
his brother would be glad to comply with the wdshes of Government; but,
at the same time, he referred to the fact that the family own considerable pro
perty in Turkish territory, and he expressed a hope that the British Government
would promise to help them in regard to those estates, which they may lose
if they offend the Turks. I told him that I was not authorised to guarantee
any particular possessions, and wmuld have to refer his request for orders. He
then begged me to try and see Sheikh Mubarak himself, and discuss the
question direct with him. Sheikh Hamud said he would inform his brother
what the British Government require, and he then returned to Koweit.
Mr. Gaskin soon after followed, and had another interview with Mubarak.
5. ^ I should here mention that enquiries I had made, immediately on
my arrival, led me to think that there is no reason for anticipating an imme
diate attack being made on Sheikh Mubarak, whose position was further
described as more assured than it had previously been. I considered, therefore,
that I ought to endeavour to carry out the instructions I had received, and
conclude the agreement with him as soon as I could.
6 . The Turkish corvette left Koweit for Eao on the afternoon of the 22nd,
and, as Mr. Gaskin on his return reported that Sheikh Mubarak was anxious
to see me, I decided to land the following morning.
7. Mr. Gaskin reported that, although Mubarak was anxious to enter
into an agreement with the British Government, he would not do so unless
I gave him a written assurance that he would receive our support afterwards,
and he also informed me that the Sheikh would probably be glad to receive
Rs. 15,000, equivalent to about £1,000, in return for an engagement not to cede,
sell, lease, &c., any^ portion of his territory. I had directed Mr. Gaskin to*
sound the Sheikh on this point.
8 . I met Sheikh Mubarak on the 23rd of January, and showed him the
agreement which I had previously prepared. Three copies of it, duly signed
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