File 1855/1904 Pt 10 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikh's properties at Fao and Fadaghia' [‎92v] (184/398)

Having told him so much the Wali had then said that theTapu Office would
register the transfers in the Sheikh’s name and that of his sons as he desired.
The Sheikh told me that the Wali did not explain that he acted on any orders
from Constantinople, and, though he expected the usual condition to follow, (that
of Mubarak’s registration as a Turkish subject), no such demand was made by the
Wali on this occasion. He therefore merely thanked the Wali and wondered
what had brought about the change in his formerly hostile attitude.
4. If the above account is true, and, from the fact that the Sheikh announced
in his “ Majlis ” on his return that the Wali had said his properties should be
duly registered, I am inclined to think it is, it would seem either that the
Ottoman Government has waived its objection of its own motion or that the
Wali has really convinced it of Mobarak’s bona fides in the purchase; whichever
may be the case, the situation seems to have improved considerably.
5. On my enquiring from the Sheikh whether he had asked Abdul Wahab-al-
Kirtas to approach the Tapu Office again before the Wall’s benevolent attitude
should change, he informed me that he had already told him to carry through the
transfers, that he would on no account register himself as a Turkish subject though
if the difficulty could be got over by registering the names of Nasir (his blind son)
and some of his women-folk as Turkish subjects, he would have no objection,
I pointed out that in view of the Wali’s new attitude this would be unnecessary,
and I was almost sure would be regarded by Government as most undesirable.
I added I was giving my own view in order that, if he agreed with it himself, he
might instruct Abdul Wabab-al-Kirtas not to delay, but that, if he preferred, I
could write and obtain your opinion. As the Sheikh expressed himself willing to
hear my opinion I w'ent on to point out that the course was undesirable for the
following reasons :—(«) none of the Sheikh’s other property was registered as
belonging to a Turkish subject {i.e., in the name of a person holding a Turkish
nationality certificate) with the exception of his Mutawiya gardens as explained
in paragraph 10 of my letter No. C.-y, dated the i8rh January 1910, (b) that, by
taking out a certificate of Turkish nationality for any of his own family, hewmuld
create a precedent which had hitherto never existed, (c) that having done so
would furnish the Turkish authorities with a strong argument—that as the pro
perty is registered in the name of the Sheikh’s son and family, and they are
Turkish subjects, obviously the Sheikh recognizes himself and his property as
entirely subjects to the Turkish Government, {d) that, after his death, the division
of his property would present enormous difficulties and probably raise most
undesirable questions if portions were found registered in the name of a son
holding a Turkish nationality certificate, (e) that such a course might make it
exceedingly difficult in the future for the British Government to render him that
measure of assistance wffiich they would like and which he might possibly find
himself in a position to require. I said that to my mind by far the best course
now' was for him to ask Abdul Wahab al-Kirtas to make in writing to the Tapu
Office formal application (wdiich is his duty under the terms of the sale-deeds)
for registration of the transfer as soon as possible. If the registration is effected,
well and good, while, if refused, the Sheikh would be in a much better position to
know how the case stands either at Constantinople or with the Wali or both, and
in any case could be no worse off than at present.
6. The Sheikh appeared to agree with my view but whether he will act as I
su Sg es t e d I do not yet know. I shall take an opportunity of asking him in a few
days and will then again report. I was at pains to explain that I was giving my
own opinion only and to the best of my ability in the Sheikh’s own interests, and
trust that the suggestion in the circumstances will meet with your approval.
No. C.-18, dated Koweit, the 13th April 1910.
From— Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, I.A., 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. Koweit,
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 refer to the correspondence ending with my predeces
sor’s letter No. 143, dated the 13th March 1909, regarding the repair of an
embankment on the Sheikh’s property near the Turkish fort at Fao.