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'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)' [‎9v] (18/34)

The record is made up of 1 file (17 folios). It was created in Sep 1907. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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18
Inclosure 2 in No. 11.
Government of India to Mr. Morley.
(Secret.)
(Telegraphic.) P. August 27, 1907.
KOWEIT foreshore. Your telegram of 25th July.
Knox reported, 14th August, that Sheikh was willing to grant us rectangular plot,
measuring 3,750 yards along sea face by 300 yards in depth, at Bunder Shweikh, for
perpetual rent of 60,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. a-year. Sheikh reserves plot of 150 yards square in
centre of our reservation, where he has built small coal-shed near outcrop of rocks
shown in chart sent with Foreign Secretary’s letter of 27th July, 1905. Rentgi.es
right, without further demand, to all foreshore facing grant, except portion opposite
Sheikh’s enclave, to depth of 3 fathoms at lowest spring tides, with full liberty to build
or sublet to British or Koweit subjects, and also to construct all works necessary to
open passage for steamers from open sea.
Koweitis have prior right of pre-emption to area within 1,000 yards of reservation,
but. failing them, we secure precedence of all others. We also secure pre-emption, or
priority ot lease, to Island ot Kurein, and priority ol lease to Ras Kathama and fore
shore there to limit of 2 nautical miles in any direction, but Sheikh reserves enclave
60R yards in linear length within such reservation. Draft of Concession also includes
declaraticn dictated by Sheikh that he will not part with rights in land to Turkey or any
other Power without consent of British Government. Sheikh subsequently wished inter
polation of words restricting operation for period during which he and his children
experience British kindness, but Knox hopes to get this condition removed. Sheikh is
angry with Turks, and present opportunity very favourable. Knox recommends that
offer, which is only open for two months, should be accepted at once, as Sheikh's mood
may change.
Subject to opinion of Cox, which will be telegraphed, we concur, and ask to be
authorized to make best terms we can with Sheikh in general sense of his draft Conces
sion, on understanding mentioned in your telegram, that His Majesty’s Government will
meet half charge. We would try to fix price and rent for Shweikh Island and Kathama
in case we wish to secure these hereafter. We would, however, point out that Conces
sion, while securing port of Koweit, does not close Khor A bdul la to foreign enterprise,
and the papers sent with Secretary’s letter datedTP7tF~December, 190o, indicate that
the possibility of developing a harbour, or even a ship canal, to Bussorah by this route
cannot be overlooked. We would draw attention to our despatch of 2nd August, 1906.
It might even be possible, now the Sheikh Mubarak appears to be in a reasonable mood,
to secure from him a right of future pre-emption, at a price fixed now, over Warba
Island and the anchorages north and south of the island, with the adjacent foreshores,
within a distance of 3 nautical miles of the island, so far as they lie within his teiritory.
With this we should command all possible railway outlets on w'e^tern shore of the head
of the Gulf. The possibility of line being taken across Shat-el-Arab to Khormusa is
remote.
Later telegram from Bushire, 23rd August:—
“ r Redbreast ’ has brought further papers from Koweit showing the progress of
negotiations.
“ Sheikh has given 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. written approval of draft Agreement embodying
terms already stated, with omission of objectionable interpolation. In return, he requires
from 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. , on behalf of Government, formal acceptance of terms of lease,
guarai tee on the part of Government of his internal independence, and promise not to
take customs duties on anything in the land to be rented, and to leave control ot Koweit
customs to him. In return for the latter he guarantees to fix custom duties against
British subjects on the basis of his present Schedule, such Schedule not to be altered
without the consent of Government. 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. egrets the introduction of
stipulations regarding customs, and proposed to Sheikh to treat this as separate matter,
but is now convinced that refusal would rouse suspicion of Sneikh and imperil negotia
tions. He also urges inclusion in formal acceptance of assurances of desire of
Government to see Sheikh and his heirs strong and independent.”
As to proposed guarantee of internal independence, w’e understand Sheikh’s
suggestion to be that we shall guarantee not to interfere with his internal autonomy,
such guarantee not to affect rights, if any, of Turkey. On such understanding ue sec no
objection to proposed guarantee. As regards customs, our latest information is that

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Content

The document, printed for the use of the Foreign Office, is a collection of letters and dispatches from 3 March 1904 to 16 September 1907, between the 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. and the Government of India on the purchase of land in Kuwait for the Baghdad Railway.

Extent and format
1 file (17 folios)
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Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 84, and terminates at f 100, since it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in the bottom right-hand corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. These numbers are written in pencil, but are not circled.

Pagination: This section of the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

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'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)' [‎9v] (18/34), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B166a, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026639614.0x000013> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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