'File 53/7 VI (D 9) Koweit [Kuwait] affairs - Arab Tribes, 1907-1911' [‎99v] (206/676)

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Maliomed Bin Ithnain. Sheikh oF the Shia tribe, broke off his alliance with
Bin Saud, because the latter had killed two of bis followers for intriguing and
sousrht refuge with Sheikh Mubarak of Koweit on 6th March last. He was
kindly received but advised to return to his own country. Bin Saud is said to
have tried to raid the Shammers, but the lattev collected in force and Bin baud
retreated to Boreyda.
By order of the Sheikh of Koweit, heavy dues are levied on the Haj
Caravan from Koweit to Mecca £T 5 on each woman's litter £r.l on each
camel rider, Es. 16 heail were levied on Hi slaves brought from Mecca
to Koweit by the Haj Caravan.
Customs duties are being raised all round.
The Sheikh of Koweit is preparing to raid the Ajman tribe of Bedouins for
stealing *20 herds from Koweit Bedouins in February last. About 200 towns
men, exclusive ol Bedouins, have been enlisted and all the Haj camels and
their furniture, as well as a cargo of arms which lately arrived, have been
commandeered by the Sheikh of Koweit for the foray. The Umtair and Thaffir
Bedouins are assisting Sheikh Mubarak in the business and the latter is forming
his camp at Sirra.
The news received at Basra regarding Nejd events is meagre. Tzzet Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
late Commandant at Basra, received permision to proceed to Constantinople
with two followers of Bin Saud named Salih U1 Addil, former Sheikh of Eass,
who was a partisan of Bin Kashid and came over to Bin Sand's side after the
former's death, and Ibrahim-el Damer. These tw^o gentlemen who proceeded to
Constantinople to do homage to the Saltan on behalf of Bin Sand, left by the
Burhanieh for Bagdad on April 10th. They received from the Turkish Govern
ment £T'450 for journey expenses and an outfit allowance of £T-5 and ara
each accompanied by a scribe and servant.
On April 13th a letter reached the Yilayet of Basra to the effect that Sultan
el-Hamud had fought with the Arabs of Bin Saud near Kasim and killed many
of them. It is said that Bin Saud alone escaped. I am not yet in possession of
details of the engagement.
I have, etc.,
F. E. CROWN.
Telegram dated the 21st June 1907.
Frrm—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla,
To—His Majesy's Secretary of State for India, London.
Please see your telegram of 4ith June. We have just received Consul
Crow's report, dated April 17fh. It deals with early hi-tory of case only. Our
information as reported under Koweit in diaries of Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Political
Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. for weeks ending 24th and 31st March, 7th April and 5th May 1907,
{vide enclosures in Foreign Secretary's weekly letters Nos. 16, 17, and 21-M.,
dated 18th and 25th April and 2yrd May 1907, respectively) is that Sheikh
Mubarak only arranged to make reprisals on Ajman near Koweit for thefts of
20 herds of Koweit cattle, and that his threat has been sufficient to induce tribe
to come to terms. Our officers in the Gulf, who have been watching the matter
carefully, have not reported that there is any danger of widespread disturbances,
or that any further warning to the Sheikh is necessary. In the circumstances we
would prefer not to issue further warnings to the Sheikh against mixing himself
up with the tribes of the interior, as this might tend to weaken our influence
over him, unless His Majesty's Government have information to a different
effect.