'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)' [‎13r] (25/34)

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for wharves, and commands the advantage of a comparatively easy and cheap water-
snpply from the Shatt-el-Arab. We therefore again recommend the early adoption of
one of the alternative measures proposed in our Secret despatch dated the 4th
February, 1904, and reiterated in our Secret despatch dated the 16th March, 1905,
before Germany or any of the other Powers participating in the railway scheme acquire
vested interest* in the neighbourhood of what may prove to be the site of the future
terminal port.
4. Another aspect of the question, to which we attach no little importance, arises
out of our relations with the Sheikh of Koweit. We believe that the Sheikh appreciates
the value to himself even of our passive friendship, realizing that British interests in
the Gulf ’and the fact of his being on good relations with us render him safe from
absorption by the Turks. Our negotiations in regard to Bubiyan, however, have
naturally led him to expect that sooner or later we should make good his claim to the
island, and we have reason to think that the indefinite postponement of action on our
part, in face of the continued occupation of the island by the Ottoman troops, has to
some extent shaken his faith and rendered him cautious of identifying himself too
markedly with us. Indeed, he has never lost an opportunity of representing to our
Political officers in the Gulf how ineffective British support has proved to stave off
Turkish aggressions on his Fao properties and on Bubiyan ; and it can hardly be doubted
that the action which we now recommend would go a long way towards reviving his trust
in our policy, and making him more amenable to our advice.
We have, &c.
(Signed) MINTO.
KITCHENFTL
A. T, Ait UNDE L.
BENZIE IBBETSON.
II. EBLE RICHARDS.
E. N. BAKER.
C. H. SCOTT.
C. L. TUPPER,
Inclosure 10 in No. 11.
Government of India (Marine Department) to Government of India (Foreign Department).
LETIER from the Naval Commander-in-chief dated the 26th April 1906 and
mclosure, regarding his recent cruise in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Transferred for disposal.
Inclosure 11 in No. 11.
Vice-Admiral Poe Government of India (Marine Department).
•
(Confidential.) “ Hermesf at Bombay, April 26, 1906.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, for the information of his Excellency
the Viceroy and Governor-General i n Council, copy of my Report to the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty m y recent cruise in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , which deals
with all the points referred to in a demi-official letter from Sir Louis Dane to mv Flap*
Captain.
2. T our telegram No. 1640, E.A., vas not received by me until I was on the point
of leaving Muscat, but I shall soon be able to furnish the information requested therein
about the Island of Henjam.
3. Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Bushire, between whom and myself
there exists a complete understanding and the most cordial feeling, afforded me great
assistance during the intercourse we had together daily for more than a fortnight, and
I should like to take this opportunity of expressing to him my thanks for all his valuable
assistance.