Incoming mail from The Arabian Gulf shifted its route to the city of
Aleppo in 1755 as it was used to be sent to Kuwait instead of the city of
Basra. That route became of great importance to the East India -English
Company. British government extended its influence to Muscat and the
southern coast of the Arabian Gulf after the Maritime peace treaty (Peace
Treaty General) being signed on January 21st 1820 and its immediate
aftermath of the treaties of peace with Sheiks of the region .Thereafter, Britain
started to spread its influence to Kuwait and practice pressures on is Sheikhs
who rejected to comply with the British pressures.
The actual activity of the British consuls in Kuwait mainly appeared
between the years 1886-1945 as the agents, British consuls and staff were
playing an active role. In 1886, which was an outstanding year, were Britain
confirmed its attitude to stand by Kuwait against the Ottoman Empire.
One of the most active consuls, worked in Kuwait, was Colonel Bell who
witnessed the era of Sheikh Sabah bin Jabber 1859-1866. All reports assured
the importance of Kuwait in the fields of business, transport and
communications as well as reports of the British Vice-Consul (Jackson), who
asserted the need to protect Kuwait and keep it away from the domination of
Ottoman Empire as well as others.
To compete with British consuls, Russian and German consuls were
involved to take part in concluding agreements with Kuwait after the formal
agreement between Britain and Kuwait. Such conventions led to the
announcement of the competition with clear indication to the French
competition on consular levels. The most important activities of the British
consuls after the end of World War I and the end of World War II, confirmed
the active role of British diplomats in the Arabian Gulf and the role of rulers of
Kuwait as well.
