Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎282r] (568/1028)

full rein to u run his own show ” in internal matters, and is wise enough to appre
ciate that the Protecting Power should have a say in his dealings with his
neighbours. Indeed he goes farther and shows anxiety that his foreign policy
should be in the main guided by 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. as representing His Majesty’s
Government, for the obvious reason that he knows that he would have no chance
against the astute politicians who guide the destinies of Iraq, Persia and Saudiyah
who surround him.
This freedom from interference in his internal affairs, apart from the mutual
confidence it breeds, enables the Ruler successfully to combat the suggestions, so
often put forward by English, elements in the State that the definite policy of
His Majesty’s Government is gradually to absorb the various Arab Stales round
Arabia and especially those in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and put them under direct British
control. A rather stupid assertion to the Western mind, considering the past
history of the English in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , but nevertheless one which finds con
siderable credence in some quarters. Of course we have also the equally danger
ous form of anti-British propaganda with ns which preaches that His Majesty’s
Government intend to desert Kuwait and leave her to her own devices on the
first opportunity.
IV.—Local. Interests.
(a) Customs .—(?) A full report on the imports and exports for the year will
be found in the Kuwait Trade Report, a non-confidential publication.
(ii) The Director of Customs, Yusuf bin Yassin al Yacub continues to do
satisfactory work and after 21 years trial retains the full confidence of the Ruler.
{in) During the year under review several important improvements have
been miected in the internal administration of the Customs Department. _ These
were mostly connected with the more efficient working of the office and with cer
tain economy measures which the Ruler desired to see carried out.
(iv) The port “ Lighter ” service has continued to work well and_ the
arrangement introduced last year whereby no boats go out to steamers until the
latter have cast anchor has earned the praise of masters of ships. Lighters now
all sail out together under the control of a single person who gives the signal for
sails to be hoisted and the lighters to work. The new system has successfully
done away with the fight for position alongside ships which used to be such a
feature of the port of Kuwait. Captains of ships have shown their appreciation
of the efforts made to control boats by making a point of coming right into the
harbour and anchoring off the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. .
( v ) Customs receipts continue to show a steady decline and this will con
tinue so long as Bin Saud’s Trade Blockade is allowed to continue.
(vi) During the year a certain amount of contraband traffic has existed with
Persia and Ncjd where prices have ruled high ; this has tended, somewhat, to
raise the Customs receipts for 1932 but only slightly.
Very little contraband, on the other hand, has been carried across the Iraq
border, as far as one can see, because of the efficient system of fromier car
patrols which Iraq has provided and because low prices m Iraq offer less induce
ment to contraband runners than those ruling in Nejd and Persia.
Mumcwality. — (i) The improvements in the cleanliness and sanitation
of the Town which were such a remarkable feature of 1932 have been maintained,
and Kuwait to-day is probably the cleanest town m the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. not excep -
ing Basra ; certainly it is the healthiest.
5 His Excellency the Shaikh continues to show the greatest interest in the
Municipality and municipal improvements generally and ably supports the very
worthy"Municipal Secretary, Sulaiman al Adsam, a man of energy and pus i
not usually seen among Arabs. _ .
(n) The electrification of Kuwait Town, foreshadowed in this Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. s last
Administration Report as certain for the autumn of 1932, unfortunately tailed
fo nnaterialize owing to the bankruptcy of the Baghdad firm which had received
the coi traet. Another Baghdad firm, however, stepped into the breach and the
T r LLn vpar sew the erection, all over the town of electric standards to
caiy^he^urhig^etc.^I^iranticipated that the Spring of 1933 will see Kuwait’s
first * 4 power ’ ’ supply functioning.
(iii) 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. still continues active in his propaganda foi rmni-
cipal improvements, and the results achieved have been little short of marvellous.
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