'Memorandum respecting Koweit' [‎6v] (2/14)

such importance that it is necessary to describe
in some detail the course of the struggle.
The quarrel arose from a raid by Sheikh Mr. de Bnnsen,
Abdur Rahman-bin-Faisal upon Nejd territory^°|" e ^aphi c ,
with the connivance and assistance of Mubarak, October 3, 1900.
the movement being supported on the north by
Sadun Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , a Turkish subject, Chief of the
Montefik Bedouins.
At the first news of disturbances, it was at
once proposed to send Colonel Kemball, the
British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to Koweit
" to counsel Mubarak to avoid giving the Turks
an excuse for interference," and as the Agree- November 14,
ment of 1899 had promised the good offices of
Her Majesty's Government the Resident was
also,to be instructed "to endeavour to warn the
Amir of Nejd that no attack on Koweit would
be permitted."
Preliminary measures were to be taken to
protect the Sheikh, but no force was to be landed
without reference to the home authorities.
Shortly afterwards, however, reports were re
ceived that the crisis was over, and at Colonel
Kemball's own request his visit was postponed.
It appeared that Mubarak was able to hold his India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
own, and the presence of a ship of war would |!' H < ) 'y lnber 10 '
give him undue encouragement.
A despatch from the Consul at Bussorah Mr Wratislaw,
summed up the situation. A conflict had been 4t '
-November 22,
averted, though at the cost of a considerable 1000.
increase of Turkish prestige. The Vali, Mohsin
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , having prevailed upon both sides to keep
the peace, had induced Mubarak to accompany
him to BussOrah, there to make solemn profes
sions of allegiance to the Sultan, and to promise
to cease "coquetting with foreign Powers." Mr. Lyle, in
The result seemed to an independent observer klwcr' Deramber
likely to "prove a considerable blow to any 2w '
pretensions of Mubarak to being an independent
Sheikh."
A declaration of some importance was made
about this time with regard to the status of
Koweit. An Arab native of Koweit, concerned
in a case of smuggling arms into Persia, had been
claimed as a Turkish subject by the Turkish
at Bushire. The Resident at Bushire
was informed by the Foreign Office, in answer to
his inquiry whether he should contest the claim
that— '
"although Her Majesty's Government had promised their
good offices to the Sheikh of Koweit, the district has