File 2764/1904 Pt 4 'Baghdad Railway: Anglo-Turkish negotiations; proposals of Turkish Govt; status of Kowait' [‎82r] (168/674)

prepared to accept the settlement suggested by His Majesty’s Government last July,
in the following paragraph :—
British trade relations with the Sheikhs of Koweit have existed for upwards of two
centuries and, inasmuch as the place has attracted merchants from all quarters by the equity
*|of its rule and the freedom of its trade, His Majesty’s Government could not consent to any
interference with the succession or with the internal administration, or any infringement of
the complete autonomy of the Sheikh. On the other hand, they are prepared to recognise
Turkish suzerainty over Koweit, and to recognise the Sheikh as a Turkish Kaimakam, provided
in other respects the status quo is guaranteed, and the validity of certain agreements which
the Sheikh has concluded with the British Government is recognised; provided the islands of
Warba and Bubian are admitted by Turkey to be within the confines of Koweit, and Turkish
military posts are withdrawn ; and provided finally the Sheikh is admitted to the full and
undisturbed enjoyment of any properties he may own or hereafter purchase on Turkish territory.
Koweit would thus form a sort of enclave within, and forming part of, the Ottoman Empire,
but enjoying complete self-governmemt under Turkish suzerainty.
As^regards the limits of Koweit it may be mentioned that in 1908 and again
in 1910 the British agents toured over the whole of the country claimed by His
Majesty’s Government without finding traces of any influence there except that of
the Sheikh. But for the moment it is perhaps unnecessary to make any further
reference to this subject, though unless the limits are eventually defined misunder
standing is certain to arise. Meanwhile we consider that the Turkish Government
should be informed that His Majesty’s Government could not agree to conclude an
arrangement with Turkey if the military post is maintained at Bubiyan Island;
and we consider that it would be impracticable to transfer our agreements with the
Sheikh in the manner suggested in the Turkish reply.
(e.) Riverain Commission for the Shatt-el-Arab.
Instead of the joint Commission proposed by His Majesty’s Government, the
Turkish Government suggest an Ottoman Commission, with a_ British engineer on
it in the service of the Turkish Government, in order to avoid the appearance of
internationalisation which it is their interest (and ours) to avoid. We understood from
the delegates that the Commission would consist of two members only, and that the
British representative would be in every respect equal to his Turkish colleague, and
further that he would be free to correspond with the British Government as he pleased.
Provided that his rights are secured by the Convention, and that it is also^ arranged
that the two Governments shall agree as to the individual to be appointed, w T e
think this may be accepted. But His Majesty’s Government’s further proposal that
the executive engineer should be British should be insisted on.
As soon as this Commission does any real work, the question of dues must pome
up, thouo’h so long as the expenditure is small, it may be possible to avoid it.
But if the ownership of the Shatt is on other grounds adjudged to Tuikey, the Turkish
right to levy dues is undeniable, and if the dues are fixed by a Commission,
constituted as proposed, its exercise seems harmless. The Turkish Government would
undertake that there shall be no differential treatment of British shipping, and this
should be embodied in the Convention. The Board of Trade might be asked to advise
as to any other conditions that may be necessary. . ,,
The Turkish delegates were anxious that it should be understood that all
pilotage in the Shatt-el-Arab would be controlled by the Commission, and this may
be agreed to.
(f.) Pilotage, &e., in the Gulf.
This is not mentioned in the Turkish reply, and His Majesty s_ Government
should repeat their claim to control it themselves. At the same time, it seems
desirable to define the limits of territorial waters, on the basis of the Government of
India’s telegram of the 18th April, and a chart, on which they are clearly shown
might form an annex to the Convention. It would be agreed that any of the existing
British buoys, &c., or of those about to be laid down by us, which might be found to
he in Turkish waters, would pass with the control of the Biveram Commission.
(g.) Policing of the Gulf.
Turkey desires to carry this out jointly with Great Britain It is evident from
this proposal, and from the proposal that they should consolidate themselves on El Katr,