File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎112r] (228/566)

The disturbances reported in my telegrams of February 13th, 25th, 26th, and
March 2nd, ceased on receipt of this news. The connection is interesting and
instructive, and, in view of the Grand Vizier’s replies to Your Excellency, of
February 24th and March 1st, which seem to me disingenuous and are certainly
misleading, I think it as well to place on record the probable cause of these
sporadic out-breaks, which occur here at stated intervals, whenever the Wali of
Basrah is unfortunate or tactless enough to annoy his influential neighbours and
incur their resentment.
However much the Arabs in these districts fight between themselves, there
is always sufficient solidarity among them to join in harassing their common
enemy the Turks, if necessity arises and the opportunity is favourable. We
have too many instances of this to admit of denial, but it may be sufficient to
note that, some years ago, before Mubarak murdered his brothers and seized
Koweit, and Khazal of Mohammareh did the same, it was a well established
custom for the Sheikhs of Koweit and Mohammerah, and the Nakib of Basrah
to combine in organizing armed attacks on the inhabitants of the Shatt-el-Arab
and the neighbourhood, or in undertaking piratical enterprises at the bar or in
the river. Eye witnesses still relate that it was no uncommon sight to see as
many as thirty boat loads of armed men leaving Mohammerah after the time
of evening prayer to carry out the hostile designs of this powerful triumvirate,
who employed their own servants and retainers for the purpose, and shared the
spoil among them. I think we should be incorrect in presuming that this
custom has entirely died out. For the past six years, while I have been here,
crime has been very frequent in Basrah, while disturbances, similar to those
which occur in the districts administered by Turkey, are unknown in Mohammerah
and Koweit. It is not necessary to recapitulate events, those of unusual gravity
have been reported as they occurred to His Majesty’s Embassy, and are on
record already. I have always understood that the present Sheikh of Koweit is
no longer a party to the system. He indulges in Arab forays and razzias
instead, and has, perhaps, a wider field of activity, and his position, moreover, has
no doubt been modified by recent circumstances. But, as regards the Sheikh
of Mohammerah and the Nakib of Basrah, who are still surrounded by followers
of the most ruffianly description, I believe this not to be the case. It is at
least noticeable that, on each occasion, when disturbances break out in the
neighbourhood of Basrah, they have been invariably preceded by some quarrel or
disagreement between the Wali of Basrah and his powerful neighbours on points
closely affecting the interests of the latter. And, when arguments have failed,
the Turkish districts are harried by armed gangs, who plunder, murder_ and
commit all manner of excesses with impunity until the object of the injured
party is achieved and the unpopular Governor discredited and removed.
The attitude adopted by the ex-Wali in regard to the registration of land
transfers has affected the Sheikhs of Mohammerah and Koweit very closely.
The former owns a great deal of land and house property in Basrah, and draws
considerable revenues therefrom. The Wali, I am informed, raised the same
objection to his acquiring new property, as he did in the registration of Fedaghia,
and the land purchased from Sheikh Sadun of Muntafik in the name of the
Sheikh of Koweit. It is a well established fact that some, if not all, of the band
who committed the outrage reported in my telegram No. 10 of 13th February
last came from and returned to Mohammerah.
The same thing occurred in 1906, in the Maaghil case. Several of the
culprits were traced to Mohammerah, and when pressure was ultimately brought
to bear on the Sheikh to hand them over, we had reason to doubt whether the
persons delivered were those concerned in the murder of Mr. Glanville. There
were others, of course, caught on Turkish territory, but, as regards those known
to be at Mohammerah, the Sheikh’s attitude was evasive and unsatisfactory.
It is to be hoped that the new Wali will prove himself to be a stronger man
than his predecessor. We had remarkable proof of what a strong Governor
could do when Fahkri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. was sent here in 1904, after disturbances had
reached a climax in the time of Mustapha Noun Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Wall of Basrah. If
extended powers are given to the new Wali, much can no doubt be done to
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