File 4535/1928 Pt 8 ‘ – PERSIAN GULF – QUESTION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF PROTECTORATES OVER KOWEIT, BAHREIN, MUSCAT, TRUCIAL COAST.’ [‎27r] (47/194)

for further discussion, I agree with Mr. iimery
that the objections set out in the departmental
memorandum circulated by him under P.G.22 to
the establishment of Protectorate Treaties with
the Rulers of these States have lost none
of their force. In present circumstances, I
should myself be opposed to any extension of
our com itments in this quarter.
Koweit.
4. The position of Koweit at the head
of the Gulf makes it of increasing importance to
us, with the growing emancipation of Iraq from
our control. From a different standpoint,
successful aggression against it, whether
by the Wahabis or (a very much less probable
contingency) by Persia, co^ld not but react
very seriously on our position along the
Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. and in the Gulf generally. On
the question of the extension of our commitments
in Koweit I am in agreement with the view taken
by Lord Birkenhead and set out in paragraph 4 of
P.G.16. xn other words, I would, as at present,
continue to protect thesheikh within the
limits at present set, but I would not
favour the establishment of a formal
protectorate.
Bahrein.
5. Whether or not a formal
protectorate shall be declared in the case of
Bahrein must to some extent depend on our
success in persuaidng the Persians to drop
their claim to zuserainty. The matter will
call for further consideration at a later date,
but, as at present advised, I am inclined to
the