'File XXII/1 Koweit relations with British Government' [‎30r] (59/382)

[Confidential.']
No. 104; dated Busbire, the 25th February (received 8th March) 1905.
From— Captain A. P. Trevor, I. A., for 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—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
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In continuation of the correspondence ending with my telegram, dated.
21st February 1905, on the subject of complaints made by the Turkish Govern
ment, I have'the honour to forward, for the information of the Government
2. Mr. Lorimer gives the following explanation as far as the complaints
relate to the movements of the Gazetteer party :—No visit to Nejd by any
members of the Gazetteer party was ever contemplated. The visit to Nejf has
been abandoned, and the Gazetteer party after proceeding to Karbala returned
to Baghdad via Hilla, and have now finally left Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. . Mr. Lorimer
has abandoned his idea of a visit to El Hassa and will keep you informed as
far as possible of changes in his programme.
3. The complaint about “ the British functionary ” with “ 5 vessels ” can
only refer to the proceedings of the Officer in Charge of the Marine Survey
when surveying Koweit Harbour, and as the Investigator is shortly to
recommence operations no doubt some more sensational reports may be
anticipated.
From— 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. , Kow —,
To— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Officiating 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 receipt of your No. 144, dated 31st
January 1905, calling for an early report regarding the Turkish Ambassador’s
complaints contained in Foreign Office telegram No. 400-E.B.
2. I can only conclude that the first portion of the first complaint refers
to the survey measures taken by the Commander of B.I.M.S Investigatory
while the latter portion probably refers to Mr. Gabriel’s visit to Um-Kasr.
The British functionary may be myself, and it is hardly necessary to say that
no attempt was made by me to incite Arab tribes to submit to Mubarak.
I doubt if I spoke to or met with twenty persons outside my camp following
between Subiya and my return to Jahra, as I carefully avoided all commu
nication with the natives at either Um-Kasr or Sefwan, and the rest or the
country was uninhabited.
3. As regards the second complaint, I have never heard of nor seen the
British flag hoisted on Sheikh Mubarak’s residence. The reference may be to
the hoisting of a flag by the Officers of B.I.M.S. Investigator on the Sheikh s
residence at Sirrah, a conspicuous and convenient point for survey operations.
The flag was a large blue and white one and the fact of its being hoisted had no
political significance.
No 211, dated 11th February 1905. j e {-
subject, and to submit a report in detail.
of India, a copy of the marginally noted
letter from Captain S. G. Knox on the
No. 211, dated the 11th February 1905.
•. I. C. P. O.—K*. 6607 P. D.-ll-3-ie05.-57^*W. D’0.
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