Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎39v] (78/544)

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Koweit Blockade.
5. General Macdonogh said that he had circulated, just before
the meeting, a paper (E.C.-512) on the subject of the Koweit
blockade. The paper briefly summarised the situation. He would
invite the particular attention of the Committee to the news which
had been received from Egypt on the 22nd April, that about 5,000
camels with goods had arrived at Damascus from Koweit. The
view of the General Officer Commanding, Egypt, was that it was
most desirable that this traffic should be stopped, either by blockade
or cordon. Then on the 3rd June 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. at Baghdad
had telegraphed that, in addition to the permit system for Koweit,
it would be necessary to limit exports from India to other Gulf ports,
as otherwise traffic would be simply diverted to Behrein or elsewhere.
In the Political Agent’s view, the only satisfactory solution would
be to despatch troops, and he considered that a company would be
sufficient. The same 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. , on the 4th June, had
telegraphed to the effect that on the 3rd May the Sheikh of Koweit
had sent a message and a letter to him asking the Government to
overlook the past and promising his hearty co-operation in the
future. The Sheikh agreed to be personally responsible for
everything that happened in his country, and said he would eject
all enemies from Government and be responsible for preventing
goods going to the enemy. He further asked that the blockade
officer should remain. General Macdonogh said that as the matter
now stood 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. at Koweit had been told that, as the
Government were not prepared to send troops, he should inform the
Sheikh that the substance of his letter had been communicated to
the Government, who were giving it their friendly consideration,
and that it was hoped that Sir P. Cox, who was now on his way
back, would visit Koweit and communicate His Majesty’s Govern
ment’s decision to the Sheikh.
Mr. Shuckburgh said that, as regards the troops to be sent to
Koweit for blockade purposes, it had first been suggested that a
platoon should be despatched, later it had been proposed to send a
battalion, and the present view seemed to be that a company would
suffice. No Indian troops had been at Koweit during the war. He
reminded the Committee that, as regards the suggestion that Sir P.
Cox should communicate the Government’s decision to the Sheikh,
Cox might be delayed in Egypt. Before leaving England Sir P. Cox
had told him that he was prepared to support the recommendation
that troops ehonld be sent to Koweit in order to stop goods perco
lating into Arabia, if this measure was considered necessary on
military grounds. It seemed from the Political Agent’s telegram of
the 4th June that the Sheikh of Koweit was now prepared to
co-operate effectively with us.
General Macdonogh said that it was only owing to the caravans
passing from Koweit and passing through Hail that the garrison at
Medina had been able to hold out so long.
Mr. Montagu thought that before the Committee arrived at a
decision it might be well to ask Sir P. Cox to report on the situation
on his arrival at Koweit.
The Committee agreed —
That it was inadvisable to wait until Sir P. Cox arrived at the
Gulf, and decided that the War Office should be instructed
to telegraph to the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia,
explaining the circumstances, and asking him if he could
spare, and was prepared to send, a company to Koweit for
blockade purposes, should his political adviser think this
necessary.
2, Whitehall Gardens, 8.11
June 11, 1918.'