Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎211v] (422/678)

- —'/i
1900.
y
Political
743/1900.
939/1900.
Consul
Shipley,
No. 20, dated
7 th July
1900.
(Political,
2350/1900.)
737/1900.
2310/1900.
Sir N.
O’Conor,
No. 298,
dated 19th
Aug. 1900.
(Political,
2411/1900.)
Mr. de Bun
sen’s tel. 63,
dated 5th
Oct. 1900.
(Political,
2425/1900.)'
1093/1900.
2443/1900.
1278/1900.
* No. 41,
dated 31st
Oct. 1900.
(Political,
2641/1900.)
2487/1900.
t Dated
17lh Oct.
1900.
2454/1900.
Bulow stated that no decision was probable for some time, but telegraphed
to Baron Marschall to inform him of Sir F. Lascelles’ wishes. Sir E. Lascelles’'
action was approved (No. 126, dated 22nd June).
On the 18th June Sir N. O’Conor forwarded an extract from the report of
the German Commission, which was in favour of the selection of Kathama
Bay as a terminus. The report showed the impression left upon die minds
of the Commissioners as to the status of the Sheikh. On the one hand, they
stated that he had taken such an independent attitude that there could be no-
question of Ottoman authority in the district. On the other, they said that
Kathama Bay was undoubtedly Turkish territory, and that “it would not be
difficult for the Turks to establish their sovereign rights.” They had seen no-
sign of the Sheikh intending to place himself under the protection of a foreign
Power, as had been rumoured.
Under the new regime (that of Mohsin Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ) at Busrah, Mubarak’s relations
with the Turks improved. In Jane it was reported that he had been
created a Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and had received a decoration from the Sultan, and the
various projects which had been set on foot by Hamdi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. for establishing
Turkish authority at Koweit, and which were so distasteful to Mubarak, had
been dropped. Further, his promised visit to Busrah was not for the time
insisted upon.
It may be mentioned incidentally that the Resident reported early in May
(telegram to India dated 10th May) a probability that certain arms which
had been confiscated by the Chief of Bahrein, and which were about to be
restored to Messrs. Fracis Times & Co., would be disposed of at Koweit. The
Resident was authorised to negotiate an agreement with Sheikh Mubarak to
absolutely prohibit all importation and exportation of arms at Koweit. This
agreement was readily accepted by the Sheikh on the 24th May, and he
issued on the same day notifications to carry it out. Her Majesty’s.
Government approved of these proceedings on the understanding that without
special instructions no effect should be given to the powers granted to British
ships by the Sheikh to search vessels in Koweit waters.
Early in October a report wus received that raids had been made on Nejd
territory by Sheikh Abdur Rahman bin Faisal, a member of the Sand
dynasty of Riadh, which had been ousted in 1886 by its vassal, Mohammed
bin Rashid, Sheikh of the Jebel Shammer tribe. Mohammed bin Rashid
had established himself as de facto ruler of Nejd, and had been succeeded
by his nephew Abdul Aziz bin Rashid in December 1897. On the 8th
October 1900 the Viceroy reported that fighting seemed probable in the
neighbourhood of Koweit, and proposed to send Colonel Kemball to|Koweit
to report and to warn the Sheikh against action likely to cause interference
by the Turks. Her Majesty’s Government approved ; and from Colonel
Kemball’s report (dated 3rd November and received 10th December 1900) it
appeared that Mubarak was absent from Koweit when he arrived, and that
his son came off to meet Colonel Kemball in a boat flying the Turkish flag.
Colonel Kemball was, therefore, unable to deliver the proposed warning, but
he gleaned the following information. Abdur Rahman bin Faisal liad°been
for some years (since 1891) living at Koweit under Mubarak’s protection.
On the other hand Sheikh Abdul Aziz of Nejd had espoused the cause of
Mubarak’s enemy, Yusuf bin Ibrahim, and of the sons of Mubarak’s
murdered brothers. TV hen, therefore, Abdur Rahman appealed to Mubarak
for assistance, the latter ordered the Bedouin tribes subject to Koweit to
suppoit Abdur Rahman in his raids upon Nejd from the East. Simultaneously
Sadun Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , a Turkish subject and chief of the Montefik Bedouins, had raided
ISejd from the north, whether at Mubarak’s instigation, or not, it was not
clear. A Despatch* from Consul Shipley carried the story somewhat further.
It appeared that the Emir of Nejd with a large force appeared within tw r o
and a half days inarch of Busrah and demanded satisfaction for Sadun
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. s raid.. To this the Vali agreed, and the Emir retired, but his future
intentions with regard to the Koweit raid were left in doubt. The main
facts of Consul Shipley’s report were telegraphed by Mr. de Bunsen on the
1st November, with a recommendation that a gunboat should go to Koweit
to watch events.. A previous telegramf from Consul Shipley had reported
matters at Koweit to be quiet and hostilities suspended ; and a subsequent
message (dated 2nd November) from Mr. de Bunsen withdrew his recom-