File 3939/1926 Pt 6 'Revision of Aitchison's Treaties. Persian Gulf Section.' [‎628r] (691/818)

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PERSIAN GULF— Kuwait.
severing their coiitiectioii with the Wahabis, who, they said, might other
wise force them to engage in depredations on British trade. Their pro
posals were not entertained.
In 1809 an offer by the Shaikh of Kuwait to join the British* expedi
tion against Itas-al-Khaima with his fleet was refused.
In December 1821, on account of difficulties with the Turkish’ autho
rities, the British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Basrah was temporarily removed to an
island in Kuwait territory. r
In 1841 Shaikh Subah bin Jabir, on behalf of his father, signed atf
undertaking to adhere to the Maritime Truce for a period of one year.
In May 1896 Shaikh Mubarak became ruler of Kuwait. r At first the
attitude of the Turks towards him was one of neutrality, but in 1897;
they appointed him qaim-maqam of Kuwait. In February 1897 the
Turks sent a sanitary official to Kuwait, and in the same month the
Shaikh asked for an interview with the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. or an agent
'deputed by him. The Extra Assistant to £he Resident eventually ar
rived in Kuwait in September, and the Shaikh intimated that he and his
people would like to come under British protection to avoid annexation'
by the Turks. He repeated his request a year later. Per Majesty’s
.Government did not, however, accede to his request.
In January 1899 the Shaikh signed an Agreement (No. XXXVI)
binding him and his successors not to alienate any part of his territory
without the consent of the British Government: and HJ M/’s Govern
ment undertook, so long as he and his heirs and successors acted up to
their obligations under the Agreement, to support them and accord them
their good offices. !
In May 1899 Shaikh Mubarak established regular customs at Kuwait,
and began to realise an enhanced duty of five per cent, on all imports,
including those from Turkish ports. In September a Turkish harbour
master with five soldiers arrived to take charge of the port but had to
return to Basrah, as the Shaikh would not receive him.
In May 1900 Shaikh Mubarak agreed (No. XXXVII) to prohibit the
Importation of arms into Kuwait, or their exportation therefrom, and'
issued notifications to that effect, and to the effect that vessels suspected
of carrying arms were liable to be searched, and all arms found confis-
tat In the summer of 1900 the series of events began which led eventu
ally to the restoration of the Wahabi dynasty in Nejd. Before that was
brouedit about, however, Shaikh Mubarak led a remarkable incursion nf
seriousness of the situation was soon brought home to him
he approached the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. through the Commander of UMA