'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)' [‎7v] (14/34)

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Sir E. Grey would be glad to learn whether, in Mr. Morley’s opinion, this land could,
in the event of its acquisition being decided upon, be most conveniently purchased by the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Koweit, to be eventually transferred to the Railway Company, or
whether it would be more advisable if it were bought by some existing Company, such as
the British India Steam Navigation Company.
I am, &c.
(Signed) L. MALLET.
No. 8.
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 July 18.)
, 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. , July 17, 1907.
IN reply to Mr. Mallet’s Most Confidential letter of the 12th ultimo, as to the
acquisition of a site on the foreshore near the town of Koweit with a view to its
possible utilization hereafter as the terminus of the Bagdad Railway, I am directed by
Mr. Secretary Morley to inclose, to be laid before the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, copy of telegraphic correspondence with the Viceroy on the subject.
The price which the Sheikh is said to be likely to expect appears exorbitant, but
Mr. Morley would suggest, for Sir E. Grey’s consideration, that the Political Officer
should be authorized to continue negotiations for the acquisition of the site, subject to
the maximum amiual rent of 15,000 rupeeSi considered sufficient by the Resident
in tfin Gulf, which might, as he suggests, be regarded partly as of the nature of a
subsidy. It might also be coupled with a condition entitling the British Government
to acquire further land adjacent to the site selected, if required hereafter, on favourable
terms. The dimensions named in the telegram, viz., 600 ya rds in length by 100 yards
in depth, seem hardly sufficient, and it has been suggested that a frontage of 1,800 yards
should be acquired with as great a depth as possible. In these circumstances, Tt may
be desirable not to insist too strongly on the price to be paid.
Should iTdle decided to continue the negotiations, it will be necessary to make
sure that the site is acquired under conditions which will preclude other portions of
the foreshore suitable for the purposes of the terminus of the railway coming into
the possession of other parties. The Treaty of the 23rd January, 1899, with the
Sheikh stipulated that he should not without the consent of the British Government
receive the Agent or Representative of any foreign Power, or cede, sell, lease,
mortgage, or give for occupation, or for any other purpose, any portion of his
territory to any foreign Power, or the subject of any foreign Power. The question
of the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. by which the land should be acquired might be held over till that of the
cost is settled.
The suggestion that the Government of India should be instructed to continue the
negotiations is made, I am to state, on the condition that half the cost of acquiring the
land is borne by British revenues.
As regards the proposal to provide the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. with a steam-launch, it
seems a question in present circumstances whether the decision of the Lords^Com
missioners of the Treasury not to contribute to its cost, conveyed in your letter of the
27th March last, should not be reconsidered.
I am, &c.
(Signed) A. GODLEY.
Inclosure 1 in No. 8.
Mr. Morley to Government of h dia.
(Secret.)
(Telegraphic.) ^ 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. , June 26, 1907.
KOWEIT. Cox’s letter of the 9th October forwarded with Secretary’s letter of
the 18th October.
How do negotiations for purchase of land on foreshore stand ? Would it be more
convenient, in view of possible utilization of site as terminus for Bagdad Railway,
for purchase, if decided on, to be made by your Govermnent through Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
for eventual transfer to Railway Company, or by some existing Company such as
British India ? What view would Sheikh take of latter mode of proceeding ?