'XXXI/2 Al-Bu-Ainain settlement at Qasr-as-Sabaih' [‎29r] (57/182)

JL
No. 1360, dated Bushire, the 27th May (received 6th June) 1910.
From— Libutenant-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 the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , /
To— The Hon'ble MB. S. H. Butler, C.S.I., C I.E., Secretary to the Govern*
ment of India in the Foreign Department, Simla.
With reference to this office letter No. 2600, dated 15th October 1909, I
have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India,
y further reports from the Political Agents,
(1) Koweit No. 20., dated and May 1910. Koweitand Bahrein, regarding the pro-
(a) Bahrein No 325 dated 14th May 1910. ceedings of the A 1 bu Ainain tribe.
^ 2. I am asking the Political Agents to keep themselves informed of their
further proceedings.
^^>4
No. 201, dated Koweit, the 2nd May 1910.
From— Captain W. H. I. Shakbspbar, 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. ,
To— 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 the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
With reference to previous correspondence regarding the move of the A 1 bu
Ainain tribe from Wakra to Kasr-as Sabaih, I would invite a reference to my
diary for the week ending 16th March 1910 relating to the arrival in Koweit of
the heads of this tribe.
2. Some time subsequently I referred to their presence in a conversation
with Sheikh Mubarak, who gave me the following accouut of their interview with
him, which I have the honour to submit for the information of Government.
3. Sheikh Mubarak said that the men had come to seek his protection and
he had discussed their affairs with them, pointing out to them that he considered
them foolish for having canvassed so many different authorities for assistance.
They were originally subjects of Sheikh Jasim bin Thani, and after a quarrel with
him had fled from Katar; they had then interviewed 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.
Bahrein and Sheikh Isa bin Khalifa for their protection ; then they had settled
at Kasr-as-Sabaih, a foreign land so far as they were concerned ; after that they
had approached the Turkish authorities in A 1 Hasa as well as the Ajman
Bedouin Sheikhs for protection. They had besides sent a deputation to inter
view the Wali at Basra with the same objects and lastly had come to Mubarak
himself, to beg his favour. The Sheikh said he had told them that if they were
so foolish as to entangle themselves with so many different interests, and inter
ests which were almost certain to conflict, he saw no reason to compromise
himself with them. Beyond this he had no particular objection to their settling
in Kasr-as-Sabaih so long as their presence there led to no trouble.
4. The Sheikh’s action, if what he recounted to me truly describes it,—and l
have no particular reason to doubt the story—,seems to have been dictated by his
usual cautious diplomacy, and as the men probably considered they had obtained
all they required in his sanction to their settlement, they w r ent away satisfied.
5. The Sheikh treated them with his customary generous hospitality whilst
in Koweit, and I do not think any particular inference can be drawn ftom
it, though doubtless the A 1 bu Ainain considered it a good augury of the future.
6. Whether the Sheikh really exercises much authority so far south of
Koweit is doubtful, though he certainly claims jurisdiction over Kasr-as-Sabaih,
as explained in my letter No. 558 of the nth October 1909.
7. I heard from Bahrein thak the tribe had received or were promised a sub
sidy from the Turkish Government, but have been unable to obtain any confirm
ation of this in Koweit. A.
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