Coll 30/107 'Koweit: Rules of succession in Koweit.' [‎12r] (23/122)

(Received under Kuwait Printed Letter No.C/309
dated the 10th April 1942.)
Note on sudden illneee of the Shaikh of Kuwait,
1942.
I visited Hie Highness at 9.30 a.in. on the 4th April accompanied
by Sir John Ward. The Shaikh looked well and was in a very affable
mood. Sir Jlohn Ward left about 10 a.m. and I remained behind and
discussed various business matters until about 10.30 a.m. when I
took leave of His Highness who informed me that he would send letters
to me to be taken by me to Ibn Saud.
Various attempts were made by Ikizat JaXfar, His Highness’ Social
Secretary, to speak to me on the telephone during the evening but
unfortunately I was busy with preparations for my journey to Riyadh
and was not in when he rang up and my one attempt to get in touch
with him failed •
At about 10 p.rn.Dr.Scudder of the American liissionrang me up
and informed me that His Highness* condition was critical. He said
that the Shaikh had had a slight heart attack at 11.30 a.m.but had
thought nothing of it and had gone to ?antas to lunch with Abdullah
Al-Nafici, the Saudi Government Agent. During lunch the Shaikh had
had pain in the region of the heart and after returning to his house
in the late afternoon had had a second and more serious attack.
Izzat Jaffar at once got in touch v/ith him, Scudder, and he had
examined him and diagnosed Coronary Thrombosis. Dr.Scudder considered
that the Shaikh must be kept as ^uiet as possible and for that reason
he desired to ke^p the gravity of his condition as secret as possible.
I informed him that I would postpoaae my departure for Riyadh and
asked him to see me after seeing the Shaikh in the early morning.
I Immediately telegraphed to the Hon*ble the 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. and
informed him oi the Shaikh's condition.
At 8.15 a,m• on the 5th Dr.Scudder ana Izzat Jaffer called
and the former stated that there was no improvement in Hi a Highness*
condition although the fact that he was still alive was a favourable
indication that he might survive the present attack. Xzzat Jaffer
said that His Highness* two younger sons Jarir and bubah were with
their father who was being looked after by his wwn servants. At my
suggestion Izzat Jaffer returned to Dasman.
Dr.Ucudder then discussed the case with Squadron header Freezer
of the R.A.F jeedioal Service wMs was staying with me and later the
Squadron Leader Informed me that hie opinion coincided with that of
Dr.Scudder*s. I enquired if Dr .Scudder would like an outside opinion
and he replied that while he had little doubt of the correctness of
his diagnosis and that everything poasiblewas being done for the
patient he would ?/elcome aiy skilled opinion and suggested Dr.
Thornton of Basra. The question of ways and means of getting in
touch with doctors was discussed with Mr.Scott, the General Superin
tendent of the Kuwait Oil Company who arrived opportunely at that
moment and at my request he despatched a telegram through one of the
Anglo- Iranian Oil Company tugs lying at Shuwaikh to the General
Manager of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co,pany at Abadan asking for a
physician to be flown down as soon as possible for consultation with
Dr.Scudder.
Dr.Scudder was still very anxioue to keep the matter as quiet
as possible in order to ensure rest to the Shaikh, but 1 told him
that I felt that his Secretary and the two senior Government officials
present should be inforried and asked him to remain and speak to them
himself. I then asked Shaikh Abdullah Jabir the Chief Judge and
Director of Education, Shaikh Abdullah Mubarak the Director of
Public Security and Abdullah Mulla, His Highness* Secretary to call
at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . They arrived within a few minutes and Dr.Scudder
carefully explained the position to them. Later I impressed on them
the necessity for keeping His Highness as quiet as possible and
limiting visitors to an absolute minimum. I understood tnat shaikh
Abdullah Salim was away on Failaoha Island and told them they must
/ consider