"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص حول شؤون الكويت، ١٨٩٦-١٩٠٤" [ظ‎‎٢‎١] (١٢٨/٤٢)

30
culled on him agnin at night and he received them in the prpsenee of some of the principal
men of Koweit. They explained to those present the nature of their intentions as regards
the exteusi n of the railway to Koweit, the facilities it would afford to trade, the develop
ment of the place, and the general benefit it would to every one. That on the following
morning early they had a confidential interview with him. They told him they ha^ a con
cession from the Saltan of Turkey to build railways in bis dominions, the Sultan has vast
vested interest in the concern, and has guaranteed it, to make it a success they desire to extend
the line of Kathama Bay, the// wanted to buy Kathama right out, and obtain on lease Chawat-
chib and Al Aghthi ; that their present visit was only for the put pose of conveying to him
the German Ambassado's greetirgs and, to try and come to some understanding as
regards the land mentioned, they wished to obtain his co-operation and support, and they also
desire him to use his friendly influeuce with the numerous Arab Sheikhs, through whose
territories, in the Euphrates valley, the line will pass, and induce them to co-operate with the
Company'as they believed he had authority and influence over them. That would be
handsomely paid for any land purchased, and leased, and that they will satisfy the petty tribes
and Sheikhs who claim the lands for grazing purposes. That tbe^ trade of the place will
increase extensively, and consequently bis revenue will improve considerably, and the value of
property will go up twenfy-fold. That the place will become the centre of trade, in fact
another Bombay, and that there will be plenty of work for everybody. That a line of large
merchant vessels will be estallished to feed the railway, and for conveyance of cargo and
passengers. That if he comes to an arrangement with the Railway Company and agrees
to their proposals he and his successors will hare the support of Germany, both by land and
water, and a man-of-war will be stationed at the place for its protection.
Sheikh Mubarak declared that, in reply, he told them that he did not urderstand whether
they had come on their own account or on behalf of the Sultan, if on behalf of the Sultan,
then he would have given them a letter to him. That be desired them to understand that
he only acknowledged the Sultan of Turkey as the head of the Mahomedan world, and, does not
consider himself a subject of Turkey, and does not acknowledge Turkish sovereignty over Koweit
territory ; and if any demands are made to him by the Sultan they will be rejected. Ihat,
on the other hand, neither he or the Arabs wish foreigners to obtain a footing in their territory,
and he will not agree to th^ir proposals as the Arabs will not consent to their plains and gracing
grounds being absorbed by foreigners for a railway, also he could not guarantee the safety
of the line, or be responsible for any bloodshed as the Arabs are a free and an independent
people. As regards his using his influeoce over the other Arab Sheikhs, he told them that
bis nominal authority was limited to the district of Koweit, and he had no influence or
authority over the Arab Chiefs in the Euphrates valley, be therefore cannot help them.
Sheikh Mubarak further stated that after bearing his reply the Germans told him that
thev were very anxious to come to an amicable understanding with him, and obtain his friendly
support, that they were returning overland to Constantinople, to arrange masters, and from
there, the German Ambassador will either communicate by letter to him the final terms they
wish to make, or else depute a special pet son to arrange terms with him.
The German finally offered him presents, which he refused saying that he never accepted
presents from guests."
115-A. Vide Appendix E, as to the communication made at Constantinople
about the British policy. A complete account of the progress of the projected
German Railway will be found in the precis of Turkish Arabia.
XV.— ProDOsal to make Koweit a Port of call for Mail steamers,
July 1900—June 1901.
116. In July 1900 an attempt wns made to establish a weekly cnll at Koweit
of the British India Company's steamers. Mr. Lyle, an Agent of Messrs. Gray
Mackenzie and Co., of Basrah, was well received by the Sheikh, who made
however, the important stipulation that the call of steamers should not bring
with it the establishment of quarantine. The Turkish authorities, who were
paying much attention to Koweit, would almost certainly enforce at that place,
as at Basrah, a ten days* quarantine against arrivals from all ports other than
Turkish. It was generally agreed that this extension of quarantine would both
be ruinous to the trade of Koweit and undesirable as increasing the influence
of Turkey in the Gulf. Colonel Kemball further pointed out that, in the event
of Her Majesty's Government making successful representations to the Porte
against a quarantine for Koweit, the Sheikh would be subjected to a general
svstem of reprisals and his town treated as a foreign port (a similar difficulty
having already presented itself in connection with the Sheikh's property in
Turkish terrilory).
117. The question was solved for the moment by the Sheikh withdrawing
his consent to the scheme. The withdrawal was not, however, conveyed in very-
decided teims, the compulsion of extraneous influence was apparent, and it
seemed to Lieutenant- Colonel Kemball that his objections would be removed
at a future date.

"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص حول شؤون الكويت، ١٨٩٦-١٩٠٤" [ظ‎‎٢‎١] (١٢٨/٤٢)

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"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص حول شؤون الكويت، ١٨٩٦-١٩٠٤" [ظ‎‎٢‎١] (١٢٨/٤٢)

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