File 1855/1904 Pt 7 'Koweit Flag.' [‎192r] (45/154)

[Confldential.1
iVo. 337^ dated Busbire, the 16th (received 21th) July 1905.
Prom-— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Officiating 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. in the Persian
Gulf,
To^S. M. Fraser, Esq., C.I.E, Secretary to the Government of India in the
Foreign Department.
■With reference to Foreign Department telegram 'N’o. 943-E. B., dated 4th
March 1905, and in continuation of my telegram of 14th instant, I have the
honour to report the action taken by me in the direction of advising the Sheikh
of Koweit to adopt a distinctive flag for use on vessels belonging to himself or
his subjects.
2 . I first broached the subject with Sheikh Mubarak at the end of April,
hut he was out in camp at the time and as there was little privacy to he got, it
was not possible to discuss patterns in detail. He did not like the idea at first,
on the ground that his people would not know what to make of the change, and
that such a course would increase the enmity of the Turks towards him For
n h vp* uld not a^ree to a fin^ of new design, but 1 explained that this
did not seem essential : that all that was required was for his dhows to carry a
flag that could he unmistakably recognised as his, and the use of which would
make it impossible for Customs Officials at Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and other ports to say
that they could not distinguish Koweit dhows from any other craft flying the
Star and Crescent. I went on to suggest that some addition to, or variation of,
the flag that he now hoisted would perhaps meet the case and asked him to let
me make out some specimens for him, and also designs for ships, articles which
might a'so he useful in conjunction with the flag. To this he agreed, and I had
intended to arrange the details in communication with 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. .
Unfortunately however Captain Knox fell ill with appendicitis a few days later
and subsequently proceeded on leave, and as the matter was of some delicacy it
seemed advisable to wait for an opportunity to conclude negotiations with him
myself. This I have now done.
3. I had a long interview with Sheikh Mubarak regarding this and other
matters on 12th instant. I first showed him the four flags of which speci
mens accompany. Of these No. A, in a book of recent date in my possession,
is shown as the Standard of the Khedive of Egypt, and I thought it might be of
interest to Sheikh Mubarak to see that though the device was still broadly speak
ing that of the Star and Crescent, it was easily distinguishable from the flag
which he now flies. 1 then showed him the other three and discussed the merits
of each with him. He came to the conclusion that No. 1, the Turkish flag with
Koweit written across it in the Arabic character, was the simplest pattern for
him to adopt, but he did not make any special objections to either of the others,
and if Government consider that a greater divergence from the flag would be
advisable, I have little doubt that he v\ ould accept any reasonable modification
without demur, e.g., the Crescent or the 3 Crescent design, or either of them
with Koweit written across it as in the pattern selected. A different type of
flag altogether, except it be the British Flag, he will not accept, of that I feel
sure.
If the flag chosen is approved I think it would be an easier flag to make if
the Arabic letters of Koweit were in a little larger type, and if I arrange to have
a seal-pattern made up here, perhaps sanction could be accorded to my indenting
on the Ordnance Department for others, as in the case of the Trucial Chiefs.
4 . I also discussed with him the form of a certificate which it would seem
useful for his dhows to carry in conjunction with the flag ; and a specimen of
the form provisionally approved by him, subject to the concurrence of Govern
ment, is attached. If it is considered unobjectionable I would solicit authority
t 0 get some printed at the Government Press in cheque book form with counter-
’foils.
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