'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)' [‎8v] (16/34)

16
No. 10.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie.
(No. 508. Confidential.)
Foreign Office, September 11, 1907.
1 TVT„ (.10 ..P -PI-.,-. nH-lTYlM ^
Sir,
forward in the Memorandum communicated to M. Gambon on the 4th June.
1 am, 06 C.
(Signed) E. GREY.
Sir,
No. 11.
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 September 12.)
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. , September 11, 1907.
WITH reference to your letter of the 20th July last, as to the acquisition of land
near Koweit with a view to its possible utilization as the terminus of the Bagdad
Railway, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Morley to inclose, for the consideration of
Secretary Sir E. Grey, a copy of telegrams to and from the Government of India, dated
the 23rd July and 27th August respectively, together with certain correspondence
received from India in covering letters dated the 11th July and 15th August, 1007, an
the letter of the Government of India, dated the 2nd August, 1906, to which re erence
is made in their telegram; also of two telegrams from the Government of India, dated
It will be seen that Sheikh Mubarak is willing to grant to His Majesty s
pre-emption to a further area extending to a distance of 1,000 yards Irom me limits or
the British reservation, subject only to the prior rights ofTtbweit subjects. ^
2. The right of pre-emption, or priority of lease, over the Island of Kurein, and ot
priority of lease to Has Kathama and its foreshore^to a limit of 2 nautical miles m any
direction, the Sheikh reserving an enclave 600 yard^ in linear length within such
A declaration would be included in the draft Concession that the Sheikh will not
part with his rights in land to Turkey, or any other Power, without the consent ot the
British Government. _ .
Mr. Morley would remark, as to these proposals, that the reservation ot enclaves is
not wholly free from objection, and may lead to possible future complications ; but the con
dition is one to which the sheikh doubtless attaches some importance, and may therefore,
perhaps, be accepted by His Majesty’s Government. The terms of the draft Concession
do not seem to Mr. Morley to be jirohibitive ; but before putting the matter before his
CounciirTh^15ecretary of State would be glad to learn the views of Sir E. Grey.
In commenting on the terms of the draft Concession, the Government of India
reservation.
observed, in their telegram of the 27th August, that they would try to fix the price and
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