File 18/2 'Koweit Customs' [‎33r] (65/410)

No. 1653, dated Bushire, the 31st May (received 8th June) 1914 (Confidential).
From— Major S. G. Knox, Cf.I.E., 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,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your confidential letter
No. 222 E.-A., dated 3rd April 1914, regarding alleged irregularities at
Kuwait Customs House.
2. With reference to the particular claim of Messrs. A. T. Shashoua and
Company of Manchester against Jassim Boodey, 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. , Kuwait,
has reported that the case has been settled by Messrs. Shashoua’s agent in con
sultation with the parties who have expressed 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. their com
plete satisfaction at the result. The arrangement was come to through the
good offices of the Shaikh of Kuwait at the instance of 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. ,
and a copy of the agreement has been filed in the latter’s office.
3. With reference to paragraph 3 of your letter under reply, 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. reports that the practice of allowing the Customs authorities,
whether on a bond or by some other arrangement, to release goods prior to the
production of a delivery order supplied by the Agents of a Shipping Company,
ceased some four months ago on a change in the Customs management, wffien
strict orders were issued by the Shaikh forbidding the irregularity.
4. 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. , Bahrain, in reporting on the same question, states
that the irregular practice complained of does not prevail at Bahrain.
5. On the Persian Coast, where the Belgian Customs officials have charge,
there have been no complaints on that score.
6. There remain the more difficult ports of Maskat and Dibai and perhaps
in view of recent developments, similar difficulties may be expected to recur on
the A1 Ahsa coast. As regards Maskat, I await the Political Agent’s report,
and I fear, judging from my Maskat experience, that he has no easy task
before him.
7. I have so far called for no report from the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent, Sharjah,
in regard to Dibai, as I wish to examine the question myself and submit
proposals. I doubt the possibility of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent intervening with
any hope of success, and I fear that with the present difficulties of touring it
may be some time before I shall be able to take up the question.
As regards the A1 Ahsa coast, nothing is as yet practicable except to watch
developments.