'File 4/9 I Anglo-Kuwait Relations' [‎63v] (135/436)

scrupulously and faithfully observe the conditions of the said bond, under which
the Sheikh had pledged himself, his heirs and successors, not to receive the agent
or representative of any Power or Government at Koweit without the previous
sanction of the British Government, and not to cede, sell, lease or mortgage, or
give for occupation or for any other purpose, any portion of his territory to the
Government or subjects of any other Power without the previous consent of His
Majesty’s Government.
2 . By article 9 of the Secret Agreement of the 15th October, 1907, for the
lease of the Bunder Shweikh foreshore, the 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. intimated that he
was “ duly authorised on behalf of the precious Imperial English Government to
promise, and do hereby promise, that the town of Koweit and its boundaries
likewise belong to Sheikh Mobarak-us-Suba, Ruler of Koweit, and to his heirs
after him, and that all Sheikh Mobarak’s arrangements in the matter of
customs, &c., and all his arrangements at the present day shall remain in the
hands of Sheikh Mobarak-us-Suba, Ruler of Koweit, and of his heirs after him,
and . . . In consideration of this promise the Sheikh undertook not to levy
customs dues in excess of 4 per cent, on goods imported or exported by “the
subjects of the aforesaid English Government,” save with the approval of that
Government.
3 . The undertakings given in writing to the Sheikh on the 3rd November,
1914, in return for his co-operation against the Turks, contained an assurance
that “ Koweit shall be recognised as an independent principality under British
protection.”
(B) —Construction of the Undertakings given to the Sheikh.
4. As will be seen, the engagements entered into by His Majesty’s Govern
ment with the Sheikh are in rather general terms, and it is perhaps desirable
briefly to record the construction placed upon them at various times by His
Majesty’s Government.
5. In 1901, when there was a Turkish threat to Koweit, the Viceroy was
informed (Secretary of State’s telegram No. 45 of the 4th December, 1901) that
this ‘appears to constitute a distinct violation of the Sultan’s promise” (to
respect the status quo), ” and in these circumstances His Majesty’s Government
are prepared to support the Sheikh, and will not tolerate an attack by Turkish
troops or ships upon Koweit. The Sheikh should not leave Koweit, and should
continue to observe his engagement with us.” The assurance given is clearly
limited by the words ‘ ‘ in these circumstances ’ ’ to this particular case. More
over, it is not conditional on, and is independent of the Sheikh’s observance of
his agreement of 1899.
6 . On the 21 st March, 1902, Lord Lansdowne, then Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, in a memorandum on the situation in Koweit, remarked that our
obligations toward the Sheikh were ” as ill-defined as the boundaries of his
principality. We have distinctly announced that he does not enjoy British
‘ protection ’; on the other hand, we once made him a present of £ 1 , 000 , and
promised him our £ good offices,’ whatever that may mean. When we made this
piomise we were, I feel no doubt, thinking of Koweit proper, if there is such a
thing, and not of Boobyan or other outskirts over which the Sheikh has rights
of one sort or another We might, it seems to me, explain ( 1 ) to the
Roite, (2) to the Sheikh; and (3) to the foreign Powers immediately interested
the objects of our policy. I should be inclined to say that our engagements to
Koweit do not extend beyond the district adjoining or close to the bay of that
name, and to endeavour to obtain the adhesion of the Porte and of the Sheikh
to our approximate definition of that district ”
7. Later, in 1902, it was reported that Ibn Rashid was making energetic
preparation for attacking Ibn Sand, then the Sheikh of Koweit’s friend, and the
Sheikh was warned not to take any action likely to bring him into difficulties
with either Nejd or Turkey. About the same time the Sheikh informed us that
Ibn Sand had with him a gun presented by the Turks, and asked for a gift of
wo or ree guns, which it was understood were wanted for Jehara to protect
Koweit against land attack. The Viceroy (telegram No. 39 of the 3 rd October,
902) pioposed to reply that the Sheikh’s request could not be granted, “but
vour telSra.m ofGrf ! n Wlth , the conveyed to him in pursuance of
} e e 0 iam of the 4th December, 1901 (see paragraph 5 above), His Majesty’s