File 1855/1904 Pt 8 'Koweit:- Arabia Chiefs' attitude towards tribes of the interior (Nejd etc.)' [‎142v] (282/336)

the Government of India would not view with complacency the intrigues of
any of them with bin Saood. # .
Thp PTktine' impression on the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. undoubtedly is that as long
as bin Saood estricts his movements to the land the British Government wdlas
heretofore refrain from interfering in any way; but the political situation has
been so much modified in the last 35 years, that I can hardly think that m
regard to the present problem a strict adherence to tradition would be a safe
policy for us to pursue. t
I beg to be favoured with the views and instructions of Government as
earlv as may be possible. .
No. 97, dated 17th January 1906.
prom Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—C aptain S. G. Knox, I.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. , Koweit.
I have the honour to forward a copy of a communication from the Govern
ment of India, regarding the reported
No 4441 -E. B., dated 5th December 1905. ambition of bin Saood to visit the Pirate
Coast and Oman. This was one of the matters which I had hoped to discuss
with you personally at Busrah last week, but as you know, I was prevented
from proceeding there at the last minute.
2. The position is briefly this:—
Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman has shown by letters which be has
addressed to some of the Trucial Chiefs that he has some idea of attempting to
re-establish the old Wahabee influence which his forefathers formerly acquired
in Oman and of paying a preliminary visit to the Pirate Coast in connection
with that aspiration.
His interference in the affairs of the Trucial Chiefs or with subjects of the
Sultan of Maskat would obviously be a most undesirable contingency; and the
Government of India consider that our best means of preventing it is through
the medium of Sheikh Mubarak. Hence their desire that you should sound
him on the subject.
In order that it may not appear that we attach very great importance to
the reports at present existing, it would be better that you should in the first
instance discuss the matter with Sheikh Mubarak, not as if you were acting on
the instructions from Government, but as if on a casual reference from me.
You might tell him, as is the case, that during a tour on the Trueial Coast from
which I have just returned, I heard from some of the Sheikhs that Abdul Aziz
bin Saood bad been writing to them about a visit which he said that he con
templated paying to their country ; and then ask him if he thinks that bin
Saood seriously contemplates such a thing. You could go on to say that you
cannot suppose that Government would approve of any interference by bin
Saood in the affairs of Chiefs in treaty relation with us, and that you would
advise Sheikh Mubarak as our friend and that of bin Saood to discourage the
latter from the project should bin Saood consult him in the matter.
Please report as early as possible the results of your interview.
No. 1, dated Camp Jahra, the 19th January 1906.
Prom— Captain S. G. Knox, I.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. , Koweit,
To— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential letter
No. 97,^ dated Bushire, 17th January 1906, on the subject of bin Saood’s pro
jected visit to the Pirate Coast and Oman.
2 . This morning, I took the opportunity of discussing the matter with
Sheikh Mubarak on the lines indicated at the close of paragraph 2 of your letter
quoted above.
3. Sheikh Mubarak informed me that he had heard of bin Saoods plans
which he regarded as a mere attempt to extort money from the various coastal
chiefs; that he had written already to bin Saood, pointing out to him the