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.' [‎202r] (323/336)

I'lVfTu T h °, S ;i eikh ’ S br0thers stated that - according to Turkish law aliens
cannot hold landed property in Turkey, and they fear that, if they pals under
the protection of the British Government the Turks will nnt fliic io^ *
I' 1 ";," “r °! * l * wiU (’™
They hesitate, therefore, to commit themselves to a course which may result
in serious loss to themselves, unless they are assured of protection in regard to
rh q estates. I told them that the family would receive our good offices and
that I myself thought these good offices would extend to all property he’long-
conrse ‘wtTh T> w ^ 1 C0, ' ,d n0t ?iye an y s P ecific assurance^ to “he
the jurisdictioifof^another^State. re ^ ard to lmmOTeable FW situated within
¥' Sheikh Mubarak himself appeared to understand this, and to realize
the advantage which will result to the Arab rulers of Koweit from havino- an
undei standing with the British Government. As long, therefore, as the agree
ment is kept secret, no difficulty is likely to arise; but the Turkish authorities
am ae°d ^ w ^ ° f my vkit ^ Koweit > and ,heir suspicions being
aroused, they may decide to support the other claimants to the Sheikhship
and try to dispossess Mubarak of his property near Pao. I am informed that
he has made alliances with various tribes in the interior of Arabia, and he
considers himsell quite secure as regards his position in the town of Koweit
which can moreover, be defended, by gun-boats, from the harbour. There is
not therefore much danger of an effective attack being made on the place
, W1 U, however, require instructions as to the course to he taken if
tne lurks confi>cate the date gardens, &c., in the Busrah district.
15. These estates were formerly a part of Koweit itself, and have gra
dually been absorbed by the Turks, whose activity in these parts has greitly
increased of late years. If we assume a Protectorate over Koweit Her
Majesty’s Government may be able to arrange that the Sheikh’s rights in
these properties are guaranteed to him. If this is not feasible, some other
course of diplomatic action will be necessary to ensure that the family are not
deprived of their revenues.
16. In view of this, I think I might be authorised to tell Sheikh Mubarak
and his brothers that their interests in regard to their Turkish estates will be
looked altei, and receive the consideration of Her JVlajesty’s Government. It
seems to me desirable that we should do this, as it will effectually prevent his
brothers from turning against Sheikh Mubarak, and, perhaps, divulging the
secret agreement he has entered into. I do not think that they are likely to do
so, at any rate at present; but it will be as well to guard against the possibility
and to ensure their silence. J
3 7. I have not been able to ascertain the exact value of the property
held by the Koweit family on the Turkish side of the Shat-ul-Arab : but I
hear that it brings in about £ 6,000 a year. The revenue is chiefly collected
during the date harvest until which it is improbable that any interference will
be attempted.
Translation of Arabic Bond,
Praise be to God alone (lit. in the name of God Almighty) (“ Bissim Illah Ta’alah
Shanuho”).
The object of writing this lawful and honourable bond is that it is
hereby covenanted and agreed between Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm John
Meade, I.S.C., Her Britannic Majesty’s Political Besident, on behalf of the
British Government on the one part* and Sheikh Mubarak-bin-Sheikh Subah,
Sheikh of Koweit, on the other part, that the said Sheikh Mubarak-bin-Sheikh
Subah of his own free will and desire does hereby pledge and bind himself,
his heirs and successors not to receive the Agent or Bepresentative of any