File 1855/1904 Pt 10 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikh's properties at Fao and Fadaghia' [‎69r] (137/398)

No. 1719 (Confidential), dated Bushire, the 26th June (received 4th July) 1910.
From—LiEUTENANT-COLONEL P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., 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
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—J. B. Wood. Esq., I.C.S., Officiating Secretary to the Government of India
in the Foreign Department, Simla.
In continuation of the correspondence ending with my letter No. 1608, dated
16th June 1910, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Govern-
* No. C..36, dated 15th June 1910. ment of India a copy of an interesting
. . . _ letter* from 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. at Kuwait
in which he discusses the interest evinced by the present Wali of Basrah in
matters concerning Kuwait, and the policy to be expected of the new regime of
which Nazif Bey’s attitude is undoubtedly an index.
Copy of a letter No €.-36, (Confidential,) dated Kuwait, the 15th June 1910,
from Captain W. H. /. Shakespear, LA., 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. , Kuwait, to the
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. , Bushire.
I have the honour to invite a reference to certain items in my diaryf for the
fExtract attached. current week relating to the reported in
terest of the present Wali of Basrah in
matters concerning Kuwait I have referred to the same subject in recent reports
dealing with other matters but as further information seems to point to the fact
that the question of the exact status of Kuwait as between Turkey and Great
Butain before very long will inevitably be forced upon us for some definite
solution, I am led to put before you such information as has so far come to my
knowledge and brought me to this conclusion.
2. In October 1909 I heard from Muhammerah that Shaikh Mubarak’s
Secretary, Abdul Aziz bin Salim bin Badr, was reported to be trying to brin^
about a closer union between Kuwait and the Turkish Government. I did not
credit the report at the time and have had no reason to do so later, for the man
himself was imprisoned by the Turks for some considerable time in Basrah and
has no particular cause to regard them with affection, though no doubt he mioht
be willing to act as their tool for a substantial consideration. Shaikh Mubarak
also trusts hun more than any other person of his entourage which l think would
be unlikely if he knew or had the slightest reason to suspect him of any intri°-ue
He is, however, always employed as the Shaikh’s confidential agent in matters
Sit Hacroh 0
3. In October 1909 the present Wali, Suliman Nathif Bey, arrived at Basrah
and at once began to show his mettle by summary orders for the general improve-
condltlonsin Basrah. He also began cultivating Shaikh Mubarak’s
friendship most assiduously. Meetings between the Wali and the Shaikh
became tar more frequent than has been the case with former incumbents; and
wherever possible, the Wall has done his best to attract Mubarak with assistance
in matters which closely affect his pocket. The Shaikh in discussing the Wali
to me said that though the Wall was always talking about impossible schemes
he had undoubtedly done much for Mubarak himself, especially in regard to his
properties at Fao where he had put an end to all difficulties in the repairing of
his date-garden embankments, encroachments by the Turkish military authorities
etc., by going down himself and issuing the requisite orders in person. He had
also obtained from Constantinople the rescission of the suspensory orders which
had created so much of the difficulty about his Fadhagiya property.
4 . Against these benefts we have the reported proposals of the Wali to
connect Kuwait and Basrah by telegraph, to despatch Turkish officers in charge
° ^ a t ! tI -, g ^ menet -? ^! L HaS f’- the Wali ’ s insistence on the registration
u- w ju - 3 S ° nS aS Turkish subjects as a preliminary to the legal transfer of
his Fadhagiya property, and the latest rumours of a Turkish detachment for
Kuwait itself, the offer of official Turkish recognition of Mubarak as respon
sible for practically the whole of North-West Arabia, enquiries as to the flag