'File 36/3 Lease of Bander Shweikh' [‎84r] (167/556)

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No. i^t, dated Bushirej the 25th August (received 2nd September) 1907.
From J. H. II. Bill, Esq,, I.C.S., First Assistant Resident, in charge current
duties, 0
To SIR Louis Dane, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Secretary to the Government of India in
the roreign Department.
In amphfkation of this office telegram No. 515, dated 23rd August 1907, I
have the honour to forward herewith, for the information of the Government of
No. 457, dated 20th August 1907. India, a copy of the letter marginally noted,
f , , r , r received 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. , Koweit,
he subject of the lease of the foreshore of Bunder Shweikh and its environs.
No. 457, dated Koweit, the 21st August 1907 (Confidential),
brom 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,
To—J. B* H. Bill, Esq., C.S., birst Assistant to the Resident and His Britannic
lajestys Consul-General in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (in charge current duties).
1 have the honour to forward herewith, in duplicate, copies, with translations,
of the proposed draft agreement by Sheikh Mubarak to lease to the British
Government the land to the south of the Bunder Shweikh and of the draft
agreement by myself accepting the conditions on behalf of the British Govern-
2. It is unfortunate that Sheikh Mubarak should hesitate to sien the a^ree-
mentun quesfon without receivmg a duly authorised acceptance in form from
mysel but to press the point too firmly would only excite greater suspicion and
might imperil the success of the negotiations. ^
3. I Have been solemnly assured by Sheikh Mubarak that he will affix his
signature, witnessed by his son Sheikh Jabir, to the document, as soon as 1 am
which he® as agre< a d d ° CUmem dU 7 S ‘ gned by mySelf acce P tin g the conditions to
4 - It will be impossible for him to plead ignorance of the agreement, as it
has been prepared finally by h.s own confidential secretary and, in ?he preliminary
s ages was read over letter by letter and discussed most carefully between us.
ihe Arabic draft remains, of course, in my personal custody. I trust that the
notes appended by me to the translation together with the quasi-telegraphic
despatch, sent by me in haste to you last mail will show fully the course the
negotiations have taken.
i 4 P; x ) lth re § ard t0 the for m of the accepting agreement, I venture to hope
that it will be allowed to stand in the main, though verbal alterations here and
there can be inserted, as Sheikh Mubarak has not yet been told what form this
letter will take. It would I think, allay a good deal of suspicion, if I am
authorised, on the part of Government, to give some assurance that it is not the
wish oi Government to interfere in Koweit except for the laudable harmless
motives mentioned in the accepting agreement and that the Government wishes
to see the Sheikh of Koweit powerful, independent and beholden to nobody.
6. I shall make one more effort to obtain in writing from Sheikh Mubarak
the assurance made verbally and detailed in paragraph 3 above. If, however I
iail I would recommend that I may be authorised to accept in the form indicated
and 1 would urge that it is extremely important that there should be as little
delay as possible in wnat, I venture to hope, may be the final stage of the negoti
ations. &
7. A more formal acceptance, signed either by ihe Resident or higher
authority, as the wisdom of Government may direct, might follow in due course,
11 it should be considered advisable.
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