"الملف 73/7 I (D 19) وضع الكويت، سكة حديد بغداد، والمفاوضات الأنجلو تركية في ١٩١١" [و‎‎٧‎٩] (٦٣١/١٧٢)

No. 1063 (Confidential), dated Bushire, the 24th April (received 1st May) igii.
From— L ieutenant -C olonel P. Z. Cox, C .S.I., CLE, Political Resident in the
Persian Gulf,
To—The H on'ble L ieutenant -C olonel S ir H enry M c M ahon , K.CI E., C.S.I ,
Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department,
Simla.
In amplification of my telegram No. 369, dated the 24th instant, I have the
shaikh of Kuwait to Resident, dated 33r (j Rabi ii honour to submit for the information of the
isag-^nd April 1911. Government of India, copies of the commu-
Resident to Shaikh of Kuwait, No. 1057, dated • ^ n • 1 1 • 1 1 1
23rd April 1911. mcations marginally cited, which have passed
between the Shaikh of Kuwait and myself on
the subject of the protection of Kathama from possible aggression by a Foreign
Power.
Dated 23rd Rabi 11 1329.
From —shaikh Mubarak-es-Subah, Shaikh of Kuwait,
To —lleutenant-colonel P. Z. Cox, c S.I., c.i.e., Political Resident in the
Persian Gulf.
I beg to inform Your Honour that whereas the Island of Bubiyan and
Um Kasr and Safwan are included in the territorial limits of my town of Kuwait
and some years ago the Sublime Porte finding them empty placed military posts
in those places and experienced no objection from the British Government by
way of protection to me; so now, having regard to the negotiations proceeding
among the Powers on the subject of the terminus of the Baghdad Railway, i fear
for Kathama, which is within my boundaries and which is now the subject of
discussion between the great Powers; and I therefore represent to Your Honour
that being shorn of my security from this cause and before the worst happens,
I ask from you three requests and ask you to accept one of them.
Either lease Kathama from me and you protect it and its neighbourhood, or
let me lease it, or give me a written undertaking from the British Government to
protect it and its vicinity from aggression by Foreign Powers, the Turkish Govern
ment being included among them. These are the requests which I have present
ed to you. I want an answer quickly before the occurrence of anything untoward,
such as I fear. I beg for the continuance of your regard and may you remain
safe.
No. 1057 (Confidential), dated Bushire, the 23rd April 1911,
From —dlleutenant-colonel P. Z. cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
Xo— Shaikh Mubarak-es-Subah, Shaikh of Kuwait.
Your esteemed letter dated 23rd Rabi 11 1329 was duly handed to me before
leaving Kuwait.
I have the honour to confirm the reply which I gave you verbally, namely
that Kathama is already covered by the assurances which you have received from
the British Government and that there is no cause for the apprehension which
you expressed.
Firstly let me refer you to Colonel Kemball's letter No. 376 of 6th December
1901 which was delivered to Your Excellency by our friend Captain Simons, and
again to the communication made to you by the First Assistant on 3rd December
1902 in reply to your letter of 21st Jemadi I I3 20 j i n which you had asked to be
supplied with 2 or 3 guns which you desired to place at Jahara in order to protect
Kuwait against attack from the land side.