"ملف ٤/١ معلومات عامة بخصوص الكويت والمنطقة الداخلية" [و‎‎٦] (٤٧٤/١١)

4
whose mildness and affability made him a popular ruler.Shaikh
Salim, another son of Shaikh Mubarak succeeded on his brother’s
death in February 1917. He was very different type of man
from his easy going brother, being a stern Muhammadan and a
very obstinate man. He had spent nearly all his life in the
desurt before he came to the throne and hated all modern
inventions. He was almost entirely to blame for his quarrel
all
with Ibn Saud and/the sorrow that it brought to Kuwait, and
in short he did nearly as much harm to the State, as his
father had done good. He died suddenly on the 23rd February
1921 to the undisguised jo£ of nearly all his subjects.
It had always been the custom for Shaikhs of Kuwait
to rule personally and autocratically, and to avoid all
delegation of authority. In the town it was their usage to
give audience for an hour or two each morning in the market
place, and decide cases by direct judgment. On the death of
Shaikh Salim, however, the townspeople, tired of the unnecessary
war with Ibn Saud which he had led them into against their
will, determined that in future they would have some say in
the a fairs of the State, informed the members of the Subah
family that they would only accept as their Ruler one who
would accept a council of advisers.
S haikh Ahmed , eldest son of the late Shaikh Jabinp was chosen
as Ruler, and on his return from Nejd an Agreement was drawn
up between him and the people of Kuwait to the effect that
all criminal cases would be decided in accordance with the
Shar’ or Religious Law; that in case of appeal, the written
statements of both parties and the Oadhi’s judgment would be
submitted to the ’ Ulama , whose decision would be final; that
if both parties in a dispute agreed beforehand for a third
party to arbitrate between them, his decision should hold;
that the Ruler would seek advice in all matters ▼ external
as well as internal - which affected the town; and that if any
one had any suggestion to make for the benefit of the town or
people, he would lay it before the Ruler, who would consult
his people, and adppt it if they so advised. A council of