"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎١‎٠‎٢‎٢] (١٧٨٢/١١٧٧)

1022
by the Government of India, who mentioned that Kuwait appeared to bf
a centre of piracy * and an emporium of the slave trade, and enquired
whether, in these circumstances, a modification of policy might not
be desirable; but the Secretary of State for India adhered to his
original instructions, adding that there was nothing in the political
situation of Kuwait to hamper naval otiicers in bringing home to the
Shaikh his responsibility for piratical acts.
In November 1897, when an attack on Kuwait by Shaikh Jasim of
Qatar and Yusuf of Dorah was believed to be imminent, H.M.S.
" Pigeon " was sent to Kuwait to watch events, the commander being
instructed not to interfere unless British interests were directly menaced ;
and Shaikh Mubarak seized the opportunity to repeat his request for
British protection.
At length, in 1898, circumstances arose which compelled the British
Government to consider measures for the exclusion of foreign influence
Turkey, 1898. f rom Kuwait. There was reason to think that the Russian Government
wished to establish a coaling station at that place ; and attempts were
being made to obtain from the Porte a concession in favour of Count
Kapnist, a Russian subject, tor the construction of a railway from the
Mediterranean to the lersian Gulf, a scheme which, in the absence of any
arrangement between the British Government and the Shaikh, might end
in the creation of Russian territorial rights at Kuwait. At the same time,
notwithstanding the recent recognition of Shaikh Mubarak as Qaim-
Maqam, tension of which the causes were not evident appeared to exist
between the Shaikh and the Turkish authorities ; the appointment of a
Turkish Commission to investigate complaints against the Shaikh was
reported; and rumours began to circulate of the possible despatch of a
Turkish force from Basrah by sea to Kuwait.
Overtures of
the Shaikh
renewed,
November
1897.
Danger to
Kuwait from
Russia and
The Exclusive Agreement with Britain, 23rd January 1899.
Orders of
Her
Mnjeaty's
Government.
In January IS99, with a view to forestalling Russian action, it was
decided by Her Majesty's Government that an engagement on the model
of the Agreement of 30th March 1891 by the Sultan of 'Oman should
be obtained from the Shaikh of K u wai t , binding him and his successors
• The oorrMtDett of thi. allegation seeme to be .loubtfnl ; there nnT hare been mma
confoiion between Kuwait and the Shaikh', estate in Turkish TrL At l (
before or B ,nce hare there been eom^ima „t pirao, by inhahifcints of Knwait