File 1855/1904 Pt 7 'Koweit Flag.' [‎214r] (91/154)

^Confidential.]
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^ 777^ J
No. 620, dated Bushire, the 18th (received 27th) March 1906.
From— 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
-The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
Having spent three days at Koweifc during last week, I have the honour
to submit, for the information of Government, a few observations regarding
the present aspect of affairs there.
I met Sheikh Mubarak on three occasions, and on 7th instant had a
lengthy interview with him at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , for the details of which I beg
reference to the attached memorandum drawn up for me by Captain Knox
who was likewise present.
It will be seen that during it several topics were touched upon, some of
which are subjects of separate correspondence.
2. The trend of our conversation regarding the affairs of Central Arabia,
which was started by Sheikh Mubarak, is of some significance. JThe possibi
lity of the Ruler of Koweit smoking the calumet of peace with^Ein Rashid,
and Mubarak’s own vision of a three-cornered compact between himself, Bin
Rashid and Bin Saood, which would in practice probably be found to amount to
a defensive alliance for resistance to Turkish expansion in Nejd and Hassa, is
an interesting, if somewhat utopian, prospect to contemplate.
It is to be feared however that Sheikh Mubarak’s own ambitions, as indi
cated in the second of the conditions suggested by him to Bin Rashid, are
likely to form the chief obstacle to such a development.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that in the course of the strife of the
last few years both Bin Saood and Bin Rashid must have been brought to
realise what a strong position the Ruler of Koweit, territorially situated as he
is, occupies both strategically and politically in relation to them, and they
evidently see the advantage of maintaining friendly relations with him.
In connection with Bin Saood’s doings I may remark it is possible that his
recent telegram to the Porte was sent to disarm suspicion preparatory to some
further move, as recent reports from Bahrein show that the Turks are now
having trouble at Hofuf, in which it seems possible, if not probable, that Bin
Saood has had an indirect hand.
3. As for Sheikh Mubarak’s attitude towards ourselves, I do not consider
that on the whole it gives any present cause for dissatisfaction or anxiety;
rather the contrary. As long as the practical expression of his sentiments in
regard to us undergoes no change, the improvement of the relations between
Mubarak and the Turkish authorities at Basrah, within reasonable limits, is ,
rather a convenience to us than otherwise. The Sheikh’s treatment of our
Agent and his invariable demeanour towards myself could not be more satis
factory An East India Company trading post. and sensible than it is. He has always treated Captain Knox exceed
ingly well; more so than ever lately, and it is a matter of satisfaction to me as
it will, I am sure, be to Government that our representative seems clearly to
have gained Sheikh Mubarak’s personal regard, and that he is visited freely in
a friendly way by many of the Sheikh’s subjects. He is thus making useful
influence of a kind which seems to be all we require at present and which
we can legitimately cultivate.
It is only in regard to the arms question that the position at the present
moment leaves much to be desired, and this is partly owing to the fact that
the general question of the Gulf arms traffic is sub judice. I do not know
quite what line to take with the Sheikh in the event of our having an
exhaustive exchange of views in this connection, and until I am sure of our
intentions it seems better for me to keep off the subject and avoid any specific
discussion with him.
4. The question of the conveyance of the Turkish postal bag to Al
Hassa, of which a good deal has been said, has I think been somewhat
misunderstood, and I concur 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. in thinking that there
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