File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎106v] (217/566)

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I saw Mirza Hamza and urged him to keep people quiet, and then went
with Haji Mushir, son of Haji Rais, to view the damage and ascertain the real
facts.
It appears that about 40 Turkish soldiers were sent by land and an equal ^
number by river to Muhammad Chanan’s village, which they looted and burnt to
the number of about 60 huts, some of which were quite unconnected with
Muhammad Chanan.
They did as much wanton damage as they could, burning planks, bellams,
doors, etc. They then retired and shortly afterwards the gunboat opened fire,
smashing down several date trees and doing some damage to the house, not of
Muhammad Chanan, but of Haji Gulfidan, wife of the late Sheikh Haji Jabir and
mother of the present Sheikh.
I surmise, with what accuracy I cannot say, that the gunboat intended to
fire on Muhammad Chanan’s house, but missed it and hit the house of the old
lady, which is in the line of fire. His Excellency Sheikh Khazal is now in
Ahwaz, but will, I expect, shortly return.
1 have wired to Colonel Cox giving him a brief account of what occurred.
Mirza Hamza tells me that, on the 25th, soldiers from the “ Marmaris ”
demanded the persons of Muhammad Chanan, Haji Athbi and Baraq bin Nafta,
brother of Haji Arak. The second named is head of the Umm-ur-Rassas tribe
which is tributary to the Sheikh.
The third named is brother of another headman, and has always lived and
had business exclusively on Persian soil. All three are, in my opinion, Persian
subjects.
Failing to get possession of these men, they yesterday imprisoned M’atuq
bin Nafta, brother of Baraq and his son who are also, I believe, indisputably
Persian subjects.
I will defer for the present troubling you with an expression of view as to
the political or legal aspect of the case. All I would remark is that the Wali’s
action seems to me to be unjustifiable and highhanded, and not calculated to
further the peace of the district, unless he is prepared to reinforce his present
armaments.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Bushire.
Yours sincerely,
A. T. WILSON.
Telegram No. 404, dated the 25th April 1910.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Mohammerah, via Borasjun,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
Turkish Gunboat " Marmaris ” to-day shelled and burnt village of
Muhammad Chanan opposite Mohammerah in Turkish territory the property
of Sheikh of Mohammerah. Damage done about £600. ^
Wali of Basrah did this, I am told, under orders from Constantinople as a
punishment to the owner of the village who is head of one of the largest tribes
of the Sheikh, because he refused to allow himself to be arrested by the Wali’s
men, being a Persian subject, according to his own statement, which is I believe
correct under international law, and, in any case, as head of Persian tribe he has
always been recognised as such. No definite proof of misdoing has been
adduced against him by Wall, who acted on hearsay and would not allow Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Arfa to intervene.
# Moreover, gunboat has captured and imprisoned an important leader of
Sheikh’s tribes for no known reason, and man is undoubtedly a Persian. Sheikh
now in Ahwaz but will I expect come back. I have not left Mohammerah.
Incident has caused great excitement and reprisals are probable. I have begged
local authorities to keep quiet. I am going to Basrah this evening to see His
Majesty’s Consul at that port. Full details by mail.