'Koweit: A Report' [‎19r] (42/140)

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cooly and collectedly, or much extended. Excitement, noise
and vociferation, and the immediate neighbourhood of their
fellows seem essential to them. They have neither discipline,
training nor organisation enough to warrant trusting them to
hold a position of this nature alone.
Their national idea of a fortified position or post does not
extend beyond a wall, or a succession of towers, inside which
they can crowd and shout. In short, it seems impossible to
take them, as a fighting force altogether very seriously. The
problem of the defence of Kovveit seems to divide itself into two
distinct parts, i.e .—
(1) If it be desired to defend Koweit against attack by a
force armed, equipped and organised as a modern army,
the position of the town gives considerable facilities for doing
so. even with a minimum defensive force. Works and barbed
wire can do much especially with naval support on both
flanks
Works constructed on the general line indicated could, in
a'comparatively short time, be developed into a strong line of
defence, which even an Arab force, if of sufficient strength,
might reasonably be expected to be able to hold. On the other
hand, to advise their holding such a line, with a small force, or
before the necessary works had reached a forward state, unless
they were supported by disciplined and reliable troops ) would,
in my opinion, be dangerous and might lead to disaster.
(2) If, however, the defence be against an Arab force only
which in all probability would be unprovided with artillery, it
would be as well to interfere as little as possible with their
traditional methods, and confine the defence to the immediate
vicinity of the town walls.
*Jehara .—A village which lies some 15 miles west of Koweit,
at the western extremity of the bay, about 1,200 yards inland
from high water mark. It is well-built of sun-dried bricks
and has a circumference of about a mile and a half. There are out
lying patches of cultivation round the walls and many enclosures,
containing wheat, date trees, lucerne, tamarisk, etc., surrounded
by high mud walls, from 2 to 3 feet thick, and 8 or 10 feet high;
most of these contain their own wells, the w'ater of which is, as
a rule, good for irrigation purposes only. The population may
be estimated at from 200 to 300 souls.
There is an old fort (in disrepair) on the western frontage
of the village, as well as a new one, built by the present Sheikh,
clear of the^south-eastern end of the village. •
• Said to be a very ancient site ; bricks and other remains are still found in
the adjacent soil.