'XXII/9 Sheikh's relations with Germany' [‎17r] (33/44)

No. 1233, dated Bushire, the 22nd (received 29th) June 1912.
From—J. H. Bill, Esq., I.C.S., First Assistant Resident (in the absence of the
Resident),
To—The Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry McMahon, G.C.V.O.
K.C I.E., C.S I., Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign
Department, Simla. Mt /£
In continuation of this office letter No. 227, dated 10th February 1912, I
have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India, a
„ n . . . .. T copy of the communication marginally,
No. C.*47, dated loth June 1912. ^ received from the p 0 H t ical Agent,
Kuwait, regarding the efforts of Messrs. Wonckhaus & Co. to establish them
selves in Kuwait.
No. C.-47, dated Kuwait, the 10th June 1912.
From— Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, LA., 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,
To—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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushi
In continuation of this office letter No. IC.-q., dated the 1st February 1912,
I have the honour to report that about the middle of May the German firm of
Messrs. Wonckhaus apparently decided to close their office in Kuwait, for
their agent, Abdulla “ German! ”, then removed his family, office furniture, etc.,
to Bahrain and the premises occupied by him have been closed, no one being
left in charge of firm’s interests.
2. Sheikh Mubarak has told me that he has again been approached by Mr.
Brown for permission to place a European assistant in Kuwait, offers of extrava
gant sums as Customs duties in advance having been promised together with
a minimum of such revenue from the firm. The Shaikh said that he returned
an answer similar to his former one, vis., that the firm should first address the
Resident at Bushire or 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 Kuwait.
3. The firm’s business as conducted by Abdulla “ German! ” has not
amounted to much ; some 150 to 200 tons of wheat and barley were purchased in
the Mashur and Hindyan District and shipped to Basra by native boats after
first having been brought to Kuwait. Some 150 bundles of raw wool were also
bought in the local market and shipped with the grain to Basra in the winter.