Ext 4226/43 ‘Compensation to Arabic Shaikhdoms for Losses by Enemy Action (Sinking of S.S. Dhafu); Sinking of dhows belonging to KOWEIT, QATAR, MUSCAT (Grounding of "Star of Mex")’ [‎69r] (137/140)

&
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
Department.
ivdia direct
I/EXT
E XPRESS LETTER (AIR MAIL). ?
y v.'
/ 0
fN.B .—This is an ORIGIN AL message sent by AIR MAIL which provides a means of communication more
expeditious than the ordinary mail and is cheaper than the telegraph. It is intended to be treated,
on receipt, with the same expedition as if it had been telegraphed. To save time and to obviate
formalities it is drafted in the form of a telegram. It is authenticated by the. signature of a
responsible officer of the Department.]
No. 381-S
BUSHIRE,
Dated the
-NrvrBdln-'
16th May,
19
To H#M* Secretary of state for India, London*"
Repeated The Secretary to the Government of Inaia,
External Affairs Department, New Delhi*
The Representative of India on
the Middle East War Council, Cairo*
The Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Division
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*
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*
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. , Muscat*
COMPENSATION EOK LOSS BY ENEMY ACTION *
Two dhows ene belonging to Kuwait and one to Qatar
were recently sunk in the Indian Ocean by Japanese action* I have no
official information of this but the crews were recently repatriated
by a mail steamer and have naturally spread the story far and wide
causing considerable consternation in Gulf circles* The dhows were
so far as is known engaged in private ventures*
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 enquired what attitude
he should adopt if the question of compensation by His Majesty*s
Government for the loss of the Kuwait dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. is raised*
3* Kuwait is regarded as a belligerent in the present war
vide Beckett*s minute referred to in the enclosure to India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.
letter No*p*Z•3144/38 dated the Igth May 1938 and by analogy it would
^ appear that Qatar must also be regarded as a belligerent* This however
would appear to make little difference to the practical aspects of the
case *
u
4*
The correct answer tothe point raised by the political
Agent Kuwait is perhaps (a) that no.compensation is payable by His
(Signature)
Majesty’s
S. 44 .
MFP— 1048 S& P— ( M-2042 )— 17-12-37—20,000.
(Designation)