File 345/1908 Pt 1 'Mohammerah: situation. British assurances to Sheikh.' [‎195r] (394/416)

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1 he practicability of the scheme remains to be proved. The working expenses, more
particularly the supply ot coal, will run into large figures, and the pumps, &c., will require
renewal from time to time.
No. 2 . For the second conception the Sheikh would hardly admit his responsibility.
Fie treated it as a castle in the air. He said that he believed it would cost 500,000/., and
that he would only undertake it on two conditions:—
( 1 .) Financial assistance.
( 2 .) Another.”
By the latter he meant a guarantee of support from the British Government.
The scheme is a very big and difficult one, but it would turn a large part of
Arabistan into a permanent garden, and, granted security, there is scarcely room tor
doubt that it would prove an excellent investment. It would, of course, be necessary to
devise some means of securing its advantages to our own traders.
_ 3. The third scheme refers to a large tract of land on the west bank of the Karun. I
am indebted to Haji Rais for the following particulars :—
The land is the property of the Nizam-us-Sultaneh, and is leased from him by the
Sheikh for 1,500/. per annum.
In Sheikh Mizal’s time, owing to the unruly state of the Arab inhabitants, the
Nizam-us-Sultaneh was very anxious to sell it. Sheikh Mizal, however, did not then
want to purchase, and instead reduced the Arabs to order; and the present arrangement
was come to.
Under the present improved circumstances, the Nizam would ask an impossible or
exorbitant price for it. Haji Rais hinted, however, that a time might come when the
Nizam-us-Sultaneh would be willing to sell. The price might then be brought down to,
perhaps, 30,000/.
Beyond the advantage of increased hold on the Sheikh’s “affections,” 1 do not see
clearly that we would stand to gain anything in helping him in this project. It would, of
course, help towards the consolidation of his power in Arabistan. In seeking financial
aid, 1 do not think that the Sheikh’s ultimate object would be merely money, but rather
an actual or practical guarantee by the British Government.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1 .
Vice-Consul Lorimer to Major Cox.
(No. 34.)
(Confidential.) Ahwaz, July 4, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to recall attention to a remark in paragraph 9 of my No. 17,
dated the 21st June, in which I stated that I thought the Sheikh of Mohammerah was
inclined to hint that we should try and take steps to press the Persian Government to
refund him the expenses he has lately incurred in protecting the “ Shushan ” and the
route of Arabistan.
I now forw'ard inclosed two papers, wffiich were recently handed me by Mr. Wilson,
of Messrs. Lynch Brothers.
The Arabic note was dictated by Haji Rais-ut-Tujar to a confidential Arab clerk in
Messrs. Lynch’s employ.
Whether the paper was intended to come to me I do not know 7 . At any rate, it
must be treated as highly confidential.
For this reason I have not attempted to have the original translation made for
Mr. Wilson revised.
Ttie note was supposed to indicate the form of a letter which Mr. Wilson was to
write to the British Minister.
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