File 1855/1904 Pt 10 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikh's properties at Fao and Fadaghia' [‎199r] (397/398)

r ^°' 67 > dated Koweit, the 3 rd February 1908 .
From— Major S . G. Knox, 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,
o— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.B., 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. , Busbire.
to me bvhfd 1-1!' °k r t0 T f ?f! rard ’ herewith > the translation of a letter handed
o«i*X®x k l“xv u h rhToK ftesubieot o£ wMton
lie between 0 tbfi a T^i e,r ^L^ 9,0 ^ 8011 ou t r age was committed
given I understand^'’^^^?*- 06 anr ^ the Turkish fort at Fao. The reason
the safetv of thp f V ^ ur ^^ stl authorities is a two fold one : 1st, that for
Sheikh K ar ek W & Spa ? 9 ° f 600 metres is r °q^d ; 2ndly, that
taxes and witbn e enc losed newly reclaimed land without paying the usual
X mtn?m» U v th Z permission from Government. To
not to construct the e a< l ded i a rdllrd, vi *'’ tllat Slleik h Mubarak received orders
uut io construct the embankments under dispute.
limits of th^fnr^w 1106 /^^ 6 drSt r0asOQ > Sheikh Mubarek claims that the
that he has no C i° Wn a t’° ^ 3 ~ wr i t ing in his possession, and
been given no nnn ^ w hy these limits have been enlarged, and that he has
has received no^° r Un '^ ^ representing his—the proprietor’s—views, and
a large portion of hTlS.^ 011 ^ ^ ule:iranC0 whicl1 would reader desolate
hetwepn^ft./ 6 ^ 31 ^ .,^. e . s t cond reas °n, there appears to me to be no comparison
ernbankmPTi(- S0 +"n a ! ed '^handedness of Sheikh Mubarek in erecting a small
safptir of ^ c f anot possibly in peace time be a serious menace to the
nmvJd • f ?• ’, and C0U M easily be removed if real encroachment is
tho a indicated on, and the wanton damage done to valuable property
1 °. r ie rs in letting flood water on to the gardens. Such damage is
ttl p m ra , e ’ i 01 the chance of Sheikh Mubarak obtaining compensation from
11s 18 sinalI indeed. Sheikh Mubarek declares that the bunds are eleven
b rs ? ,, ar l d ^^.^hcy have merely been repaired. He also informs me that
an e tort military authorities built them together eleven years ago.
q, .Jh •^ r s re gards the third reason, it would be interesting to learn when
eikh Mubarek received clear official instructions that he was not to build
®Embankments, and even if he did do so contrary to orders, he may plead
that it is impossible to obey such orders, as he cannot stand by and see his
property go to ruin for want of proper repair. His constant complaint to me
is that the Turks will not allow him to exercise the right that each and every
one—the meanest proprietor on the river—has, viz., to protect his property
against the devastation not only of the river, as in the case of more fortunate
proprietors higher up river, but also of the sea.
6. It is perhaps worth noticing that the Kaim Mokam of Fao, the highest
local civil authority, is apparently on Sheikh Mubarek’s side in this affair.
7 . The letter, of which a translation is forwarded, may read strangely and
appear peremptory in tone, but too great importance should not be attached to
that,^ as Sheikh Mubarek was perfectly friendly in discussing the matter, and the
ambiguous phrase about searching for a way to preserve his honour is simply
a vague threat intended to produce an impression, and there is not the slightest
doubt that Sheikh Mubarek thoroughly appreciates the advantages that accrue
to him from our protection of Koweit.
Translation.
Dated 29 th Thi ul Haj-lst February 1908 .
From— Seikh Mubakek us Subah, Ruler of Koweit,
To—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. , Koweit.
After compliments —Before this we have informed the Consul-General and
yourself about the interference of the Turkish Government in the cultivation of
my land and the preservation of my land by embankments from the damage
caused by vater, and the Consul General said that he would inform the Consul
of Basrah of the news. Now the Turkish soldiers who are in their fort at Eao by
night burst onto my lands and broke the bunds that protect my lands from the
water in about forty places, and the water came in on my date trees and
destroyed a portion of my date trees, and it may be further anticipatedlthat more