'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎150r] (304/386)

Colonel Kemball thought that the population of Kowoit was about 20,000
and that the total number of the Bedouins acknowledging his authority was
about 30,000. The larger numbers were probably calculated on the assump
tion that all the tribes in the interior who now acknowledged Ibn Saood, belong
ed to Mubarik.
The Sheikh next requested that Irs territory at Um Kasr might be freed
from the Turks. Ilis Excellency inquired why he had not kept a force there
to prove his ownership. He replied that Um Kasr was not permanently in
habited, but that the tribes went there for grazing. He never thought that the
Turks would occupy it. His Excellency answered that he was glad to have
learnt what the Sheikh had in his mind, and that he would fully consider his
requests, though he could not promise that any of them would be granted. The
Sheikh thanked him.
The case of the Sheikh’s Agent, Abdul Aziz, who was imprisoned by the
Turks for treason was mentioned and the Sheikh was told that the British
Ambassador at Constantinople was trying to secure the mitigation of the sen
tence passed upon him.
His Excellency then referred to the warning given by Colonel Kemball
to the Sheikh against mixing himself up with affairs in the interior. We had
guaranteed him protection against an attack on Koweit, but as he well knew,
could not interfere if he got into trouble inland. The Sheikh said that he fully
understood and would be guided by His Excellency’s advice. His Excellency
pointed out that as Ibn Saood had conquered Riadh and was in possession of
the entire country, as reported by the Sheikh himself at the interview oa 20th,
there could not be any reason why he should further embroil himself in the
quarrels in the interior.
The interview then closed and the Sheikh withdrew after repeatedly
thanking His Excellency for coming to Koweit and for the protection afforded
to him by the British Government. Mr. Dane, Foreign Secretary, and Colonel
Kemball, Resident in the Gulf, were present at the interview. On leaving the
liar ding e the Sheikh was taken by the Foreign Secretary to see H.M.S.
Hyacinth, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Atkinson-Willes. The Admiral
received the Sheikh who was greatly interested in the ship and her guns. lie
took coffee in the Admiral’s cabin and left under a salute of 5 guns. The
Sheikh stated that he had never been on a man-of-war before. In his recep
tion room at Koweit the Sheikh had huug upon the walls coloured pictures of
His Majesty the Kiug-Emperor, Her Majesty Queen Alexander, and Her
Majesty the late Queen Victoria.
For His Excellency’s reception he turned out about 230 horsemen anl
20 riding camels and perhaps 4,000 men, many of whom had Martini-Henry
rifles or carbines.
The flag carried was a red Arab banner with the motto, “ Tawakkulan ala
illah ” or “ Trusting in God.”
The flag flying over his house the previous day was a red flag with the star
and crescent. But this did not appear to have been hoisted on the occasion oi
the Viceroy’s visit.
There were three old ship’s guns on the beach in front of his house from
which His Excellency’s salute was fired.
L. W. Dane, —29 11-1903.
Correct as amended.
C[tjrzon],— 29-11-1903.
At the official visit paid by the Sheikh on 28th October, he said, when he
received as part of his khillat a sword from the hands of the Viceroy, that ie
wanted a belt to gird it on at once as he was now one of the military ofnceis o
the British Empire (Adhe min ul asakir).
At the interview between the Sheikh and Sir A. Hardingo and Mi.
Chirol he asked why the Turks were not compelled to restore to him Buoiyan
and Um Kasr.
L. W. Dane,— 2-12-1903.