"ملف II. العراق (٣) المجلد ١ بساتين التمر العائدة لشيخ الكويت في شط العرب. (علاقات الكويت مع الحكومة التركية والمطالبة التركية بضرورة استخراج الكويتيين شهادات الجنسية التركية)" [ظ‎‎٢‎٩‎٧] (٦٣٦/٦١٢)

himself registered as an Ottoman subject in the Turkish Consulate at Bombay.
The decision not to sell this land was mainly due to the “ patriotic ” efforts of
Jelal Bey, the then Vali of Basrah. An article, said to have been inspired by
Jelal Bey, was published on August 18th. in a local newspaper, “ Ar-Reshad,”
denouncing the proposed sale of the Dawasir date gardens.
Enclosures with Basrah Despatch No. 55 of October 31, 1911.
Decision of the Basrah Administrative Couyicil^ No. 804 of July 28 ) 1327
{August 10, /p//).
Translation.
July 19, 1327.
The telegram of the Ministry of Finance of August 1, 1911, and the obser
vations of the Official of “Transferred Lands” have been read. The date
gardens of Dawasir and Aradah include a large tract of four thousand jenhs
under cultivation and one hundred and fifty jeribs uncultivated. According to
the sums paid for its lease for the thirteen years ending with the year 1329, a
yearly revenue of ^T. 5,249 is obtained in addition to tithes. In this district,
the value of land is gradually increasing, and it is certain that the value of the
date gardens in question will be doubled or trebled. The question, whether this
land should be disposed of or not, contains considerations of extraordinary
importance and nicety. The land is situated near the mouth of the Shatt-al*
Arab, and apart from the increased value which it will acquire in the future, it is a
set-off to the land on the opposite bank, in the Jezirat-al-Khidhr, called Abadan,
which is in the possession ot foreigners. If sold, no matter to whom, there is no
doubt that it would ultimately pass into foreign hands, that it would cause
political and administrative dangers, and that it would have far-reaching effects
upon the future affairs not only of the Vilayet of Basrah, but of all Irak. There
fore, its remaining in the control of the State is essential, and a reply shall be
sent to the Ministry of Finance that the application of the aforesaid customer,
who formerly resided in Bombay, involves the dangers mentioned, and has been
rejected. Decision given.
July 28, 1327 (August 10, 1911).
Seal of Administrative Council.