'Memorandum respecting Koweit' [‎10v] (10/14)

10
As regards Um Kasr (on the mainland of
Eastern Arabia, some 50 miles to the north of
Koweit), the position is unsatisfactory. Its im
portance as a possible dehouche for the Bagdad
Railway is considerable (see Bagdad Kail way
Memorandum), but the Sheikh's claims to it are
so weak as to be hardly worth putting forward.
If the Germans try to deal direct with the Turks
on the subject, our locus standi for putting forward
the authority of Koweit would be a doubtful one.
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. .
We still maintain the position that there is no
British protectorate over Koweit, and that the
status quo of 1901 continues to exist. But the
Government of India (who have always favoured
an active policy in regard to Koweit all airs
generally) urged that, as we were without a 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. ,
Representative there, our information was spas- August 1,1903.
modic and unreliable, and our hold on the Sheikh
uncertain. They wished accordingly to appoint
a Resident Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Koweit, as at
Bahrein. This was thought here to be incom
patible with the assurances given to the Porte that
the status quo would be scrupulously regarded,
and Lord Lansdowne refused to agree to such^an
appointment. He suggested, however, in a letter
to the 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. that a via media might be found ;
an officer might be deputed by the Resident in the
Gulf to visit Koweit, from time to time repeating m T ^ ^
. . ' . . To 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. ,
his visits as occasion required until his stay August 13,1903.
became practically permanent. The position
obviously was a difficult one, and a somewhat
awkward misunderstanding arose on the subject.
Captain Knox was selected for a temporary mission
to Koweit—he was to visit the place and come
away again—but the Government of India argued
that by agreeing to his being sent to Koweit the
home Government had accepted their original
view, and that a permanent appointment of a
" Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. to reside at Koweit " had been
made. This had not been the intention, and a
discussion ensued which ended by the temporary
withdrawal of Captain Knox, with the under
standing that he should return at intervals. He
is now under orders to return to Koweit. The
position we take up, as regards the Turkish
Government, is that His Majesty's Government,
while they have appointed no permanent Agent to
Koweit and consider that the status quo of 1901
_