ملف ١٨٥٥\١٩٠٤ الجزء ٧ "علم الكويت." [و‎‎١‎٨‎٨] (١٥٤/٣٧)

[Confidential.]
No. 2416, dated Bushire, the 14th (received 22nd) October 1906.
From~MAjOR P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
TO—Sir Louis Dane, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Secretary to the Government oi India in
the Foreign Department, Simla.
I have the honour to invite a reference to the correspondence ending with
No. 380 of 30th September 1906 . Foreign Department Endorsement No.
, . £ v • S^S-F.B., dated 31 st July 1906 , on the
subject of a distinctive flag for Koweit, and to forward a copy of the Political
Agent s report of what has since passed between himself and Sheikh Mubarak on
the subject.
2 . In view of the fact that once to me personally, and again in the presence
( 1 ) Resident to Foreign, No. 337 , dated 16th Knox and myself, as reported in
July 1905.
(2) Resident to Foreign, No. 620, dated 18th
March 1906 (accompaniment).
the ^ communications marginally-noted,
Sheikh Mubarak approved the pattern and
expressed his readiness to fly it, it is an-
noying to learn that he hesitates to adopt it now, though he has agreed to issue
the articles which bear a coloured picture of the same flag.
^ At an ordinary time Major Knox would no doubt have suggested to the
Sheikh that after the trouble gone to in the matter the Resident and Government
would find it difficult to understand his going back on his undertaking, but it is
so important at the present moment that the atmosphere between him and the
Political Agent should remain clear, that as far as the latter personally was con
cerned jt was perhaps as well that he left the matter where he did for the time
being, instead of pursuing the subject.
3 . There can be little doubt that Sheikh Mubarak’s specific object in acting
as he has, is that surmised by Major Knox in paragraph 5 of his letter, and I
venture to hope that the Government of India will be pleased to recommend
His Majesty's Secretary of State to authorise the accord of some measure of
guarantee in connection with the use of the flag, on the lines suggested.
No. 380, datad Koweit, the 30th September 1906.
From-— CAPTAIN S. G. Knox, I.A., Political Agent, Koweit,
To— MAJOR P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
I have the honour to inform you that, at an interview I had with Sheikh
Mubarak at the Agency on the 29 th instant, I showed him the books and flags
forwarded under cover of your No. 2130 , dated 14 th September 1906 .
2 . Sheikh Mubarak at once agreed to the issue of the ships’ articles but
demurred to the use of the flag which he said was sure to get him into trouble
with the Turkish authorities at Basrah. “—
I suggested that it might be possible to fly the flag in the Persian Gulf and
Indian waters and to avoid using it in the Shatt-el-Arab, but the Sheikh replied
that the Turks would be sure to hear of it and would retaliate by oppressive
measures not on the boat that flew the flag but on all Koweit boats indiscrimi*
nately.
4 . In the absence of instructions, I did not feel justified in expressing
surprise at his failing to keep his promise made to you to use the flag. Sheikh
Mubarak did not show any marked aversion to the new flag but he cited the
cases of Abdul Aziz bin Salim bin Badar;*
and of the Agent of the Firm of Shubaili
who, he said, were still languishing in
prison at Koniaf, asking what offence
they had committed and receiving no reply. He also mentioned a case of which
I had not heard previously when an Agent of Sheikh Mubarak was enlisted and
taken to El Hassa and eventually bought a substitute to replace himself. The
• Foreign Department endorsement No.
49-E.B., dated 5th January 1506.
t Resident to Foreign Department No. 87, dated
12th February 1505.
P. Z. C.