File 2764/1904 Pt 4 'Baghdad Railway: Anglo-Turkish negotiations; proposals of Turkish Govt; status of Kowait' [‎183r] (370/674)

SECRET.
r
DB}
DRAFT REPORT
(Reference, G.S., G.S., Map, No. 2385 : Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and adjacent countries—
latest reprint.)
THE/ three points on which the Committee were asked to advise were the
following :—
(1.) Did we really wish the Baghdad Railway to stop at Bussorah (Basra) or to
he extended to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ? If it was to be prolonged to the Gulf
now or at any future time, were we to insist that its terminus must be at
Koweit ?
(2.) Is it essential to the interests of our commerce to obtain legal sanction for our
control of the navigation of the Shat-al-Arab and its approaches, includino-
buoyage, lighting, dredging, and the right to lew dues on vessels navieratino-
the river ? s ^
(3.) What are the utmost limits to an extension of Turkish sovereignty in the
Shat-al-Arab and on the shores of the Gulf which we can agree to ?
1. In regard to the first point, the Committee are generally of opinion that the
change which has recently occurred in the depth of the bar across the Shat-al-Arab
has removed the principal objection which could be urged against the selection of
Basra as a terminus.
It is felt, apart from the obvious commercial advantages of Bussorah (Basra), that
it would be a distinct gain to postpone the prolongation of the railway to Koweit,
since,^ Bussorah (Basra) being indisputably within Turkish territory, many awkward
questions, such as control of the customs, would thus be avoided.
The Committee consider, however, that circumstances may be changed owing to
future variations of the bar at the mouth of the Shat-al-Arab or to other causes, and that
we should protect our interests now by stipulating, in the reply to be sent to the
Ottoman Government, that if ever the railway is prolonged to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. the
terminus must be at Koweit under conditions to be settled in agreement with His
Majesty’s Government.
In regard to the status of Koweit, the Committee deprecate the encouragement of
Turkish interference with the internal administration of the Sheikh ; the furthejjkimits
of concession to which it would seem advisable to go would be to recognise Turkish
suzerainty over Koweit, and its ruler as a Turkish kaimakam, who, as such, would be
entitled to hold land in Turkish territory ; but it should be stipulated that the
administration is to remain autonomous ; that our agreements of 1899 and 1907, or
any part of them, must be recognised by the Ottoman Government; and that the
limits of Koweiti territory shall be defined in accordance with the suggestions made
under (3) in this report.
The question of replacing 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. by a consul accredited to the
Ottoman Government is one which might perhaps be considered.
2. In considering the second question it is necessary to bear in mind that there is
likely to be some expense in keeping the channel of the Shat-al-Arab in its present
improved position, as it cannot be assumed that it would otherwise permanently
remain there; there will, if there is to be continuous traffic, have to be annual surveys,
and probably some engineering operations. If expense is entailed in keeping open
the navigation of the river it will be necessary to meet it by levying shipping dues,
and foreign countries may demur to such dues being imposed on their ships unless
they are levied by the riverain Powers, or they themselves have a share in controlling
the navigation.
The Committee think that in the first instance, as expense will not increase very
rapidly for some years, and heavy dues will not therefore be necessary at once, an
'[740]