File 1855/1904 Pt 10 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikh's properties at Fao and Fadaghia' [‎56v] (112/398)

mmmmmmmmmrnm
2
who is already inclined to credit Mubarak with intriguing with the English,
is almost certain to accept the dicta of such prominent men, however impro
bable the story may be. The enclosures to the Shaikh’s letter contain
evidence that these three men may be acting in concert, both in the matter of
delaying or preventing registration of his property, and also in poisoning the
acting Vali’s (Saad Bey’s) mind over the Zobeir incident referred to my in my
letter No. C-43, of the i2th July 1910.
The Shaikh is justified in his fear, and I think His Majesty’s Consul at
Basrah w'ill confirm my opinion that, should these three prominent men support
any improbable story with their collective influence, there is no doubt that the
Turkish officials would accept their view, almost without question.
6. The Shaikh was particularly frank with me, because I think he is now
more thoroughly alarmed than he has hitherto been. He has held out against
all the Vali’s persuasion to register his children as Turkish subjects; the Vali,
therefore, though outwardly friendly, is undoubtedly chagrined at his failure:
consequently, an atmosphere particularly favourable to the usual methods of
Turkish intrigue now exists.
7. I did my best to reassure the Shaikh, enjoining him to be especially
careful in his dealings with the Vali so as on no account to rouse active hosti
lity. He assured me he would not register either himself or his children as
Turkish subjects without the consent of the British Government but he looked
to us to assist him in this present difficulty.
8. He asked my advice as to what course he should pursue in the event of
Ahmad Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. az Zuhair actually sending men to resume possession of the
Fadaghia property whether accompanied by Turkish officials or without them.
I replied I could hardly advice him without reference to the Resident, but I was
sure it would be as well to warn his fellahin Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. and agent on the estate (Shaikh
Saleh bin Brahim living at Dora) that on no account should there be any show
of force or active hostility. Should an attempt be made to resume possession,
his agent might endeavour to gain time by treating the intruders hospitably,
explaining that he had no orders from his master and that without them he
could not leave his charge, whilst requesting them to address the Shaikh direct
in the matter. The Shaikh had a letter drafted to this effect at once, and I
trust that in the circumstances my action will meet with approval.
In view of the Shaikh’s extreme anxiety, .1 would solicit the favour of ins-
structions, for the Shaikh certainly anticipates some such move very shortly.
P. 5 .—Since the above was drafted, the Shaikh has sent me a copy of the
last communication from the Vali on the subject of this property, of which I
have the honour to enclose a copy with the Shaikh’s own letter. It will be seen
that the Vali’s offer of assistance differs materially from that described in Mr.
Consul Crow’s letter No. 20, dated the 6th June 1910, to your address. The
Shaikh has sent no reply to this letter.
Dated 6th Rajab 1328, 13th July 1910.
From— Shaikh Mubarak-es-Subah, Ruler of Kuwait,
To— Colonee Cox, British Resident and Consul-General, Bushire.
After Compliments .—I represented to you descriptively on the 26th Jemadi
I 1328 about the dangers which threatened to overtake my property el Fada
ghia and forwarded to you a copy of the letter from the Agent of the seller,
Abdul Wahab Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. el Kertas in which he warned me of the evils of delay, and
I (stated that I) saw dangers surrounding my property but that my confidence
was in your sense of honour and protection. I did not care for all their vain
intrigues especially when I received a reply from you dated the 28th Jemadi I
1328 corresponding with the 7th June 1910 in which you stated that the facts of
the case have been represented by telegraph to the Government by you and that
you hoped that they will be able to devise a proper scheme for the solution of
this difficulty in a satisfactory manner. I was much pleased and remained
waiting during this period, and the present Vali of Basrah used to evince to me