Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎170v] (346/380)

6
On the 6th September, 1914, the Government of India, in a telegram referred to
already in section (ii), made the following suggestion (61684/14, No. 1) :—
“ It is asserted by the Sheikh of Koweit, and there seem reasonable grounds
to believe, that the Slieikhs of Koweit and Mohammerah, in collusion with certain
notables of Basra, with whom they are in close touch, and with the distant
co-operation of Bin Sand, could (if given certain assurances) either prepare the way
for our peaceful occupation of Basra, or, until we are in a position to take effective
action, arrange to keep the place quiet and isolated.
“ To secure these results I would offer the following inducements, in addition
to the assurance that Basra would never again be subjected to Turkish authority.
“ To the Sheikh of Koweit, we should offer full possession and immunity from
taxation for his date gardens on the Turkish bank between Fao and Gurnah ;
immunity from the consequences of ejecting the present small Turkish military
posts from Safwan, Umm Kasr, and Bubiyan ; and thereafter recognition under
British protection of independent principality of Koweit.” *
On the 14th September, 1914, the officiating Resident in the Gulf submitted to
the Government of India a draft of a special letter to the Sheikh of Koweit, together
with other drafts referred to above in sections (i) and (ii) (64214/14, No. 1):—
“ In return for the valuable co-operation which we expect from you, I am
authorised by the Government in the event of success—and, insha Allah, we shall
succeed—to assure you that Basra will never again be allowed to be subject to
Turkish authority.
“ I am further to give your Excellency personally the following special
assurances :—
“(1.) Your date gardens between Fao and Gurnah shall remain in the full
possession of you and your heirs and for ever be immune from taxation.
“ (2.) You are guaranteed by the great British Government against all
consequences of your attack against Safwan, Umm Kasr, and Bubiyan.
“ (3.) Koweit shall be recognised as an independent principality under British
protection.”
This draft, like the others, was approved by the Government of India on the 26th
September, 1914 (64214/14, No. 12), with the same alterations in assurance (1),
regarding the Sheikh’s date gardens in the Basra vilayet, as were made in the
corresponding passage in the draft special letter to the Sheikh of Mohammerah.
The letter, in its emended form, was eventually despatched on the 3rd November,
19 14 .
On the 28th February, 1917, upon the death of Sheikh Mubarak-bin-Subah,
these undertakings were renewed in the “Kharita” to his son; and after the latter
had also died and had been succeeded by his brother, Sheikh Salim-bin-Mubarak,
the Government of India forwarded to Sir P. Cox, for presentation to the new ruler, a
“Kharita” from the Viceroy renewing to him likewise the undertakings which His
Majesty’s Government had made to his father (68308/34912/17).
During the first half of the year 1918 Sheikh Salim created considerable difficulties
for His Majesty’s Government over the question of the control of the blockade in
Koweit territories and ports. And, in this connection, the following message was
conveyed to him through the Resident at Koweit on the 5th July, 1918 (121490/
49888/18)
“ Government have deeply regretted the events of the last two years at
Koweit, but they welcome your declaration-]- as affording an opportunity for
re-establishment of our traditional friendship. In order that there may be no
misunderstanding in the future, they desire to explain their policy towards your
Excellency.
“ On the one hand, should you show to Government same friendship and
assistance which they have experienced for many years in their dealings with the
rulers of Koweit, they will continue to you the assurances given to your illustrious
father, the late Sheikh Mubarak, especially that ‘ the town of Koweit and its
boundaries likewise belong to Sheikh Mubarak-us-Subah, ruler of Koweit, and to
his heirs after him,’J and will extend to you the friendship and protection and
assistance which they gave to him ; and, finally, they hope that you will raise
* “ It is a question whether we should not hoist British flag at Koweit as soon after declaration of war
as we are in a position to protect it from Turkish attack.— P. Z. Cox, September 2, 1914.”
f Accepting the measures of control desired by the British authorities,
f Secret Agreement of the 16th October, 1907.