File 2764/1904 Pt 4 'Baghdad Railway: Anglo-Turkish negotiations; proposals of Turkish Govt; status of Kowait' [‎137v] (279/674)

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r.i T - /• i r rr FI Fidaa) where the Sheikh of Bahreia has important
righteT and they conlider itt such a settlement, would finally remove a
perennial source of local fnction. regularise the relations of
SSiSTJr^A -• att-aar-*
now be put ^“^^hnmenS aware, His Majesty’s Government have
neve^adndtted°that Koweit is ^
Turkish kovermnent'abstaiimd Horn sending troops to Koweit^^ind respected
the status quo there, they would not occupy that place or estabUslt
protectorate over it. QPpiphs of Koweit have existed for upwards
British trade relations * e t “ e X S p 0 ^^“hted merchants from all
of two centuries and, inasmuch as the pla . < , j ijig Maiestv’s
nnartersbv the eauity of its rule and the freedom ot its traOe, ms .uajtsij s
quarters y ^ . o-nyr intprfprence with the succession 01
Government could not consent to any inter , -r C()nu) i et e
with the internal administration, or any infringement ot me complete
aiitonomv of the Sheikh. On the other hand, they are prepared to lecogmse
Turkish suzerainty over Koweit, and to recognise the Sheikh as a Furkis
Kalmakam,/provided in other respects
^^^mtS^S(; 8 p«)^edthe islands of W^teandBuH^
military'potts are^Midiawnl anTprolided 0 fillaily Sheikh is admitted
to the full and undisturbed enjoyment of any properties he mav °^ 1 0
hereafter purchase on Turkish territory. Koweit would thus form a sort of
enclave within, and forming part of, the Ottoman Kmpne, u enjoy &
complete self-government under Turkish suzerainty. r tj ia
cqmpipip se | ifficulties have rece ntly arisen in regard to the buoyage of the
Shat-el- \ rail. For a great number of years British shipping has, owing
to its volume been predominantly, and until recently almost exclusively,
interested ^Tthese A to navigation.. For over ^iTonfby^
surveying, buoying, and lighting the river has been earned out by Biitish
agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. to the general satisfaction of all concerned. ^ j.
" in these circumstances, His Majesty’s Govermhent have some difticulty
in appreciating why the Ottoman Government have taken exception to
existing and long-standing arrangements ; but, being desiroi^ of dealing s it
the difficulty in a spirit of conciliation, they would propose to the Ottoman
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