'Collection of papers respecting the attitude of His Majesty's Government in regard to the Bagdad Railway and the Purchase of Land at Koweit (amended version)' [‎1r] (1/34)

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[This Ropmnent is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
Printed for the use of the Foreign Office, September 1907 .
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SECRET.
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[Amended Version.]
Collection of Papers respecting the Attitude of His Majesty’s
Government in regard to the Bagdad Railway and the
Purchase of Land at Koweit.
No. 1.
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 Foreign Office .— (Received March 4.)
Sir, ' 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. , March 3, 1904.
WITH reference to your letter of the 17th March, 1902, forwarding telegrams from
Sir N. O’Conor on the subject of the claims of the Sheikh of Koweit to Bubiyan Island,
I am directed by Mr. Secretary Brodrick to inclose a copy of a letter from the Govern
ment of India dated the 4th February, 1904.
In consideration of the importance which Lord Curzon, after visiting the spot with
the In aval Commander-in-chief, attaches to this question, Mr. Brodrick desires again to
bring the matter before the Marquess of Lansdowne for his consideration.
I am, &c.
(Signed) A. GODLEY.
In closure in No. 1.
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Government of India to Mr. Brodrick.
(Secret.)
Sir Fort William., February 4, 1904. *
IN his Secret despatch dated the 17th December his Excellency the Viceroy
briefly mentioned his recent visit to Koweit and the Khor Abdulla, and the prospects of
the shores of this waterway as a future possible railway terminus. YYe now have the
honour to address you in greater detail on the subject.
2. It will be within the recollection of His Majesty’s Government that early in
1902 it was reported that the Turks had established a post at the head ot the Khor
Abdulla. The Commander of His Majesty’s ship “ Sphinx,” who was sent to inquire
into the matter, visited the locality between the 14th and the 19th February, and
reported that, in addition to a position which they had occupied at Um Kasr, the lurks
had, for the first time about a fortnight previously, stationed a force of some twenty men
on the south-east corner of Bubiyan Island. This unwarranted encroachment was at
once brought to the notice of your predecessor, reference was made to the importance of
the positions seized, and it was proposed by the Viceroy that the Turks should be told
that they must at once leave Bubiyan, even if no protest were offered against the
occupation of Um Kasr. On the 26th March Lord George Hamilton telegraphed that
it was considered inadvisable to raise irritating discussions about the movements ot
Turkish troops to places to which the Sheikh’s title would be difficult to prove, and it
was explained that His Majesty’s Government did not wish to obstruct the prolonga
tion of the Bagdad Railway to the Gulf, whether at Koweit or elsewhere. It was
added, however, that their assistance would be conditional upon British capital receiving,
in respect of construction, materials, and management, at least equal shares with any
other Power. In the event, no action was taken to assert the Chief’s claims beyond an
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