'File 53/7 VI (D 9) Koweit [Kuwait] affairs - Arab Tribes, 1907-1911' [‎5v] (14/676)

27
relative to the inquiries made, under orders from the Saltan, by Veli Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. into
the conduct of Mukhlis Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the late Vali of Bussorah, and the causes of his
dismissal.
I have, etc.,
N. E. O'CONOR.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Consul Crow to Sir N. 0'Conor.
(No. 36. Confidential.)
Sir, Bussorah^ May 29, 1906,
VELI PASHA An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , a Liwa and Aide-de-camp to the Sultan, has been sent
here from Baghdad to inquire into the conduct of the late Vali, Mukhlis Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
principally with reference to the recent fighting in Mountifik, al)Out which very
strange and discreditable rumours are current, and also in regard to his charges
against Suleiman Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Mohammad Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Daiihestani, and Eakhri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
whom he accuses of improper dealings with Gadban, Chief of the Beni Lam,
alleging that they gave the latter military control of the Persian frontier from
Khanikin to Mohammerah, and appointed him " Commander " on the border.
According to inquiries made by Veli Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , I am informed that the Vali's
action in Mountifik was inspired solely by the desire to crush Sadun aud oust
him from his lands at Suk-el-Shiyakh, where he had been permitted by the
Government to settle last year. Falih Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , a cousin of Sadun, supported
the Vali hoping to get his cousin's lands. Last year Sadun was expelled by
armed force. The Vali pursued him, but, through lack of cavalry, was unable
to G :et in touch with him. He returned to Bussorah for Ramazan, leaving
Palih Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. in possession of the land. The ostensible pretext for the Mountifik
expedition was to recover arrears of taxes—£T. 359,000—due to Government.
It is said they claim £ T. 112,000 from Suk-el-Shiyukh alone. The Arabs
contend that their crops were assessed at too high a value by the local
officials, and that the basis of taxation is therefore unfair. They have refused
to pay anything for the last three years, and have staved off pressure by making
large presents to officials. The Vali, who is exceedingly vindictive and obs
tinate, would brook no interference in prosecutirig his schemes against Sadun.
The authorities at Bagdad appear to have disapproved of his action, and Mukh
lis Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. having announced his intention of returning to Mountifik after
Hamazan to capture Sadun, it was thought politic to have recourse to milder
measures, and he was instructed not to proceed there. Sadun was in direct
communication with Constantinople, and his representations as to the validity
of his title to the land in dispute seem to have commended themselves to the
Palace and to have received support. It is interesting to note that in the official
data collected by Veli Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the Vali is stated to have reported that Sadun was
supported in his pretensions by the English.
It was at this juncture that the troubles occurred at Amara over leasing
the Sultan's lands, and Mukhlis Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. was dispatched there to effect a settle
ment between the Seniye Department and the civil authorities, and to turn out
Gadban, Sheikh of Beni Lam, from Kumeid belonging to the Imperial domain
lands. The circumstances attending the dispute were reported to Your Excel
lency in my despatch No. 12 of the fith March last. Gadban seems inclined to
resist with all the force at his disposal, and his resources are not inconsiderable.
Eighting broke out again in Mountifik in March, as reported in my despatch
No. 11 of the 5th March, the immediate cause, according to Veli Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's
inquiry and my information also, being the murder of a member of the El
Hacham tribe by Ashirets dependent on Ealih Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. near Suk-el-Shiyukh. In
order to take their revenge the El Hacham surrounded the town, and serious
disturbances occurred, resulting in loss of life on both sides as already reported.
The Mutessarif of Amara was despatched to Suk-el-Shiyukh, but failed to restore