The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-24

Special Cable to The Globe.
BOMBAY, Aug. 23.I wrote YOU
sometime ago that the British author
tues would establish a protectorate
over Kuweit, AN important strategic
point on the Persian gulf They have
zone So which gives them a natural
advantage point on the new railroad
from Bagdad to the Persian gulf. This
nne forms continual ton of the Asia
minor railroad, landing at the Persian
gun and there connecting with the
great system of Indian railways.
by her possession of the Suez Canal
Great Britain controls the main artery
or the worlds lines Of communication
as at present constituted. Holding
Aden as she does at the mouth Of the
lied Sea, she has that strategic ad-
vantage over all other nations which.
nguratively speaking, gives her the
control of the world
1t has been thoroughly understood
for a long time past that the pre-
ponderence In power in the Persian
gun must be held by Great Britain
owing to the necessities of her depen-
oenc1es in the Orient. The Hon. G.
N. Curzon previous to his advent here
as v1ceroy of India expressed himself
very clearly on this point, stating that
IL was a proposition which could not
pc contraVerted that the possession by
RUSSIA or port on the Persian gulf
would be just cause of war.
kuwe1t has naturally been under the
dominion OF Turkey, between which
power and Great Britain there has
been considerable friction. OF course
turkey controls the military status Of
the new route, being able in an emery
ency to concentrate her scattered
troops In Mesopotamia and the Taur-
US for war either in Europe or Asia.
Ii Great Britain had not succeeded in
OF
would have taken possession Of Bay
hador or some other point on the
Euphrates to give herself a permanent
influence over these natural bases.
Size of Kuweit.
Kuweit is town of 10000 inhabi-
tantS and very nearly at the head of
the Persian gulf, directly in the line
OF the railroad being built through
Persia to Alexandria. 1t is located
on the south side of a fine deep bay,
twenty miles long east and west and
ten miles broad. 1t has a natural depth
and anchorage even for large ocean
steamers. 1t can be made a splendid
harbor and as one of the termini of
the Southern trans-Asian route will be
place Of the utmost importance in
the conservation Of future empire Of
course 1t Is needless to say that this
new route will be the great rival. and
through better lines of commerce, of
the trans Siberian railroad.
KuWe1t will probably be as important
IN the main to Great Britain as Alex
andria has been. It is here that large
ships coastwise and ocean-wise viii
dock, here that the center Of the rail-
road will be. While it has noninally
been under Turkish dominion, it has
been ruled by an Arab chief. It's pres
ent Sheik or ruler, Mobarek bin Subah-
killed his elder and younger brothers
to make himself chief. Then he sought
and obtained British protection against
the Turks and the Ernir of Nedg. Ku-
welt is the gateway to Nedg which is
one of the great bazaar centers for
Oriental trade
In the struggle for eastern domino
ton Great Britain has won out again
Russian and even German diplomacy
have been outdone in the struggle for
the protection Of Kuweit.
Prefers Great Britain.
Mobarek decided after his interviews
ments last year that he preferred Brit
ish protection. Like all the better
class Of Arabs he Is a very keen OBJ
server, a man who reads little but
studies the human beings with whom
he comes in contact. He thoroughly
understands the future importance of
the little town and territory over which |
he rules. Maborek is a. well preserved
man Of middle age, he has keen, rest |
less eyes; distinct Bedoun features, |
with broad forehead and scant, al |
most Yankee beard.
Since the establishment of the Brit |
ish protectorate he has been a little |
more particular about social COM
forts. He not only recognizes his i'm |
portance as an advance agent Of the
British embassy but desires to en- |
phasize his taste for comfortable sur
roundings. His reception room is q |
veritable Study. 1t Is of generous pro- |
portions and the floor is covered with |
genuine Brussels carpet, the walls |
being gaily painted and the ceiling |
dainty effect In imported cretonne. |
Two marble top tables and a large |
clock complete the furniture with the |
exception Of one chair, upon which his |
sublimity is seated when ready to re- |
ceive his guests, generally barefooted |
Bedouins who prefer to squat rather |
than either stand or be seated.
Kuweit is we'll situated to be center |
Of civilization. The town is remark |