ملف رقم ٧٥٧ لسنة ١٩٠٩ "الخليج الفارسي: تركيا والعدوان التركي (احتلال جزيرة الزخنونية. الموقف تجاه قضايا القرصنة. المدراء في الزبارة والعُديد والوكرة) العلاقات البريطانية مع تركيا في الخليج الفارسي" [و‎‎٥‎٨] (٤٩٥/١٢٠)

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
ASIATIC TURKEY AND ARABIA. [December 5.]
CONFIDENTIAL. Section 3.
[44032] No. 1.
Mr. Marling to Sir Edward Grey.—{Received December 5.)
(No. 865.)
Sir, Constantinople, November 29, 1910.
THE surmise that I ventured to make in my despatch No. 843 of the 22nd instant,
that it was the intention of the “ committee ” to bring about the recall and disgrace of
Nazim Pasha, appears to receive confirmation from a recent telegram I have received
from His Majesty’s consul-general at Bagdad, reporting the rumours current as to the
mission of Ismail Hakki Bey Babanzadeh. Mr. Lorimer says that the supposed object
of his visit was to report on (1) Muntefik affairs ; (2) British designs on Bussorah ; and
(3) Mazim Pasha’s conduct of affairs generally, and that one result of the reports sent
by the deputy in a secret cypher to the Grand Vizier and Minister of War is that
Nazim has been instructed to proceed to the Muntefik country, an order which the vali
is very reluctant to obey.
Ismail Hakki has also been instructed to report whether, in his opinion, Nazim
Pasha should be entrusted with the expenditure of the loan which the municipality of
Bagdad is contracting with the National Bank. Sir H. Babington Smith informs me
that that operation, which was being discussed in the Council of Ministers, has now
been referred back to the Council of State merely to give time for Ismail Hakki’s
report to reach Constantinople, and it seems to be a legitimate inference that the
Council of Ministers expect a report adverse to the vali.
In my above-mentioned despatch I reported that Ismail Hakki had also been
deputed to examine the complaints, both foreign and native, as to the recent arbitrary
demolitions of house property, &c. The “ Tanin,” of the 25th, gives some extracts—
translation of which I have the honour to transmit to you—of his reports, which in
substance amount to a damaging criticism of the proceedings carried out in the vali’s
name. It is taken for granted that compensation will be paid to those who have
suffered by the projected street improvements, and it is suggested that 10 per cent., or
even 20 per cent., more than the sums now being offered would be well spent if the
public excitement can thereby be calmed.
Rifaat Pasha, to whom I spoke on this question yesterday, informed me that
compensation would certainly be paid, but he would not commit himself to promising
that the sums claimed would be paid in full. I told him that Mr. Lorimer had been
called on to furnish a list, carefully revised by himself, of British claims, and that
I should present it as soon as it reached me, with a request for a settlement in full.
I have, &c.
CHARLES M. MARLING.
Enclosure in No. 1 .
Extract from the “ Tanin ” of November 25, 1910.
(Translation.)
The Possibility of Prosperity for Bagdad.
NAZIM PASHA desires to widen the streets of the town, particularly those
suitable for electric tramways. Probably about 90,000i. of the Bagdad loan will be
devoted to constructing a road 22 metres wide as nearly as possible parallel to the
river. This is a very necessary project, but it has given rise to a great deal of talk.
Some suggest making the road farther from the river, where it would contribute to the
prosperity of the outlying parts, while costing only one-third as much as the projected
road ; but the road is needed in the commercial part of the town, and would be useless
in open ground. Some do not wish to be compelled to leave houses in which their
families have lived for generations, wdiile others are doubtful whether they will get
compensation if their houses are demolished. Everyone is in a state of anxiety ; but
this feeling of fear and apprehension can be dispelled by repeated notices, by influential
[1814 e—3]