File 1855/1904 Pt 7 'Koweit Flag.' [‎236r] (135/154)

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No. 341, dated Busbire, the 1st October 1904.
From -Captain A. P. Trevor, for 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 The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
I have the honour to forward herewith, for the information of the Govern
ment of India, a copy of a letter No. 83, dated 23rd September 1904, from His
Majesty’s Consul at Mohammerah, on the subject of the proceedings of the
Persian Revenue steamer “Muzafferi” in the Shatt-el-Arab.
2 . In reply to a reference from me, Mons. Waffelaert, Director-General
of Customs, states that the “Muzafferi” did, in fact, capture two Koweit dhows,
one of which was released on payment (under protest) of a fine of 8,000 krans
and the other of which was brought to Bushire to he detained till a fine of
krans 18,000 is paid. Mons. Waffelaert added that it was not in his power
to discuss the matter further at Bushire, as a report of the capture had already
been despatched to Tehran, presumably from Mohammerah.
3. The position of British Consular officers in Persia with regard to
Koweit subjects is at present so undefined that, in view of Mons.
Waffelaert’s attitude, it seems unlikely that very much will be effected here.
4 . A copy of this communication, with its enclosure, has been sent to His
Majesty’s Minister, Tehran.
No. 83, dated tbe 23rd September 1904.
From—W. McDouall, Esq., His Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Mohammerah,
To —Major P. Z Cox, C.I.E., His Britannic Majesty’s Acting Consul-General for
Fars, Kbuzistan, &c.
With regard to the seizure of native craft by Customs S.S. “ Muzafferi ”,
I have the honour to report that the owner of a Koweit bum made a
complaint to His Majesty’s Consul at Basrah who sent him to me. I
have no instructions as to whether Koweit subjects are entitled to more than
good offices, and enquired from the Customs authorities if they would accept
my intervention on behalf of Koweit subjects. Mons. Waffelaert, Acting
Director-General, Bushire, informed me that at Bushire, as he had no orders
from Tehran to recognise the right of His Majesty’s Consulate-General to
represent Koweit subjects, there was an understanding that, pending instruc
tions, any action of the Consulate-General should be unofficial, and suggested
that the same should be done here to which I agreed.
Mons. Waffelaert said that, as it would take some time to settle the
case, and reference would have to be made to Tehran, to avoid delay to the
vessels, he was prepared to accept payment of a fine under protest, the fine to
be twice the value of the rifles, estimated at thirty tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. each, and the vessels
could then be liberated ; when the case had been settled, and amount of fine
fixed if anything to be returned to the owner it would be returned.
The owner of bum accepted this on my advice, and has received a receipt,
stating that the amount was paid under protest.
The owners are Abdulla-biu-Muhammad and Alwan-bin-Hosein who state
that they bought the vessel two years ago from Abdul Aziz Angri, in whose
name the register was issued by Sheikh Mubarak.
The vessel is the bum “ Teyser”, Nakhoda Ali-bin-Muhammad Mubarak.
She was bound from Koweit for Sabiliyat near Basrah to load dates.
The case for the vessel is that they carried twelve rifles and twelve hundred
cartridges for the defence of the vessel and did not coneal that they had these
rifles on board : that they were bound for Sabiliyat in Turkish territory, where
their owner is awaiting them and had no intention of communicating with
Persian territory : that the river being the border they were not in Persian
waters : that as they were to load dates for sale at the Bedouin villages between
Ras-el-*Had and Partag and on, they had brought these arms for protection.