'Vol. D.16 (File 61/4) Bin Saood - Amir of Nejd's intention to visit Pirate Coast and Oman in 1905' [‎26v] (54/118)

after the secret arrangement entered into between the Viceroy of India and
the Koweit Sheikh the Turks oscupied the shore of this harbour, and it still
remains in Turkish occupation. While in Baghdad Mr. Leland Buxton made
special inquiries as to what extent British commerce was being affected by
German competition, but found that the former was still holding its own. ''At
the Persian Ports on the Gulf I was informed that the arrangement by which
the Customs were placed in the hands of Belgian officials was most unpopular
among the Arabs and the Persians, and that as a result of this measure the
tariffs were much higher than under the old Persian regime. It appeared to
be generally understood that the Belgians were carrying out this work in the
interests of Russia. As the result of inquiries made in many quarters as to
what extent Russian influence had been affected by the results of the late war
I found that the Russian position was practically as strong as ever/'
Extract from a letter from the Folitical "Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , No. 620,
dated Bushire, the 18th {received 27th) March 1906,
«**«*««
Having spent three days at Koweit during last week, I have the honour
to submit, for the information of Government, a few observations regarding the
present aspect of affairs there.
I met Sheikh Mubarak on three occasions, and on 7th instant had a
lengthy interview with him at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , for the details of which I beg refer
ence to the attached memorandum drawn up for me by Captain Knox who was
likewise present.
It will be seen that during it several topics were touched upon, some of
which are subjects of separate correspondence.
2. The trend of our conversation regarding the affairs of Central Arabia,
which was started by Sheikh Mubarak, is Of some significance. The possibility
of the Ruler of Koweit smoking the calumet of peace with Bin Rashid, and
Mubarak's own vision of a three-cornered compact between himself, Bin
Rashid and Bin Saood, which would in practice probably be found to amount
to a defensive alliance for resistance to Turkish expansion in Nejd and Hassa,
is an interesting, if somewhat Utopian, prospect tb contemplate.
It is to be feared however that Sheikh Mubarak's own ambitions, as indi
cated in the second of the conditions suggested by him to Bin Rashid, are
likely to form the chief obstacle to such a development.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that in the course of the strife of the
last few years both Bin Saood and Bin Rashid must have been brought to
realise what a strong position the Ruler of Koweit, territorially situated as he
is, occupies both strategically and politically in relation to them, and they
evidently see the advantage of maintaining friendly relations with him.
In connection with Bin Saood's doings I may remark it is possible that his
recent telegram to the Porte was sent to disarm suspicion preparatory to some
further move, as recent reports from Bahrein show that the Turks are now
having trouble at Hofuf, in which it seems possible, if not probable, that Bin
Saood has had an indirect hand.
*******
Extract jrom a note of a conversation between the Resident in the Persian
Gulf and Sheikh Mubarak of Koweit, dated 7th March 1906.\
*»*•»*«
The Sheikh informed the Resident that he thought he would be interested
_ ^ , . .v . . to hear that he had lately, on 24th Feb-
(1) Tl* protpects of F .c. .a the .ntenor. (29th > a letter