File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎108r] (220/566)

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September 1908, to March 31, 1909 and most of the offenders were traceable to
your district. Apart from this, I have, in previous years, repeatedly called the
attention of our Government to the attitude of the Sheikh in regard to river
troubles generally, and to disturbance in Basrah in particular. On one occasion,
during the hunt for Glanville’s murderers in 1906 and 1907, representations were
made at my instance to the Sheikh through Tehran. To the best of my recoil-
lection the Sheikh took the matter lightly. My efforts to get the Sheikh to
co-operate with the Turks and aid them to suppress lawlessness have been un
availing. The day of reckoning seems to have come, and I think it is high
time the Turks took up the matter themselves. Their action may be arbitrary,
but if they have the force to carry it through, and I shall ask the Embassy to
press for supply of proper means, it will, I am sure, in the end be salutary as far
as this Vilayet is concerned.
Yours sincerely,
F. E. CROW.
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Mohammerah; Enclo. 3,
30th April igio.
My dear Colonel Cox,
In continuation of my letter No. 423 of even date, I enclose a copy of a demi-
official letter which I have just received from His Majesty’s Consul, Basrah, on the
subject of the trouble between the Sheikh of Mohammerah and the Wali, and my
reply. The departure of the Wali to Baghdad is very fortunate and will minimise
the likelihood of any further troubles in the immediate future; the Sheikh has assur
ed me, through Mirza Hamza, that he will take no measures of any kind which might
be treated as reprisals ; this is in accordance with the advice I gave him in the
first instance.
Mr. Crow’s letter enclosed refers to an interview that he had with Haji
Mushir, son of Haji Rais, at my suggestion. I did not, however, at any time,
mention the question of guarantee for the Sheikh’s Basrah property, and quite
agree with Crow that he should get it through the Persian Embassy, or else from
the Wali.
I am probably going off to Khor Kuwairin to finish some more of the survey
on Sunday next, returning in time forthe mail.
Yours sincerely,
A. T. WILSON.
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His Majesty’s Consulate, Basrah,
April 28th y igio.
My dear Wilson,
I told Mushir that I would write privately to the Wali and ask him to protect
Mirza Hamza’s wife and family, but I thought, under the circumstances, they
would be better away from here. I do not think the Wali is at all likely to do
them harm. But I cannot answer for developments, and they might be expos
ed to annoyance and supervision.
As regards Persian property in Basrah, I would advise the Sheikh to get his
guarantee through the Persian Embassy; the difficulty will probably be discussed
between them and the Porte, and any local promise I might give would be easily
overruled.
Mushir said he agreed they would be better away, and my letter was not
required.