File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎113r] (230/566)

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marshes, and as to the two men there was reason to suspect that they were
wanted by the Turks for other reasons.
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. ,
and His Britannic Majesty’s Consul-General,
etc., etc., etc.
i nave, etc.,
W. MacDOUALL.
Enclosure 2.
No. 476, dated Arabistan, the 12th May 1910 (Confidential).
From— Lieutenant A. T. Wilson, I.A., Acting Consul,
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.
i have the honour to forward copies of despatches addressed to H is
No. 25, of 7th May 1910. Majesty's Embassy, Constantinople, by
No. 36, of 14th May 1910. Mr. F. E. Crow, His Majesty’s Consul at
, , c , , Basrah, on the subject of the difficulties
between the Sheikh of Mohammerah and the Wali of Basrah, and of the result
o negotiations between the two parties, together with a telegram on the subject
ot the rules regarding extradition in force between Turkey and Persia.
2. I can add littie to Mr. Crow s statement of the case, which seems to me
m the main, to represent the facts of the case from an impartial standpoint.
. 3 - I think that the harbouring of bad characters by the Sheikh is not so
serious an evn or so deliberate a piece of mischief on the part of the Sheikh as the
Turks make out.
It has been the policy of the Sheikh, like all other Arab Chiefs, to take such
persons into his service, pay them, clothe and feed them, and thus keep
them under surveillance and out of mischief, whilst at the same time securing
for himself an efficient bodyguard. It is only when the Sheikh has been stirred
to indignation by the inaptitudes of certain Walis that he has connived at the
perpetration of outrages by such persons, with the object (usually successful)
of securing the removal of the Wali, or the cessation of the practices objected to.
4. Nor can it be assumed that the Sheikh is generally cognizant of out
rages committed by his subjects. The reverse is ti e case. The latter, living
in Turkish territory, have hitherto been emboldened to commit depredations by
the knowledge that the Turkish ^ police were not likely to disturb their opera
tions, and that subsequent punishment was not likely to follow. They only
occasionally bothered to take refuge in Mohammerah, being safe in Basrah, a
larger town, where they would not be known personally.
5. The proofs of the Persian nationality of Muhammad Chanan, which have
been submitted to me by the local authorities, have satisfied me that he is a
Persian subject according to international law, but this point has now ceased
to have more than academic importance.
6. The settlement that has now been reached between the Sheikh and the
• (Will follow by next post.) Wali is shown by the enclosure* to Mr.
Crows despatch No. 26, of the 14th May.
It takes the form of a letter from the Turkish authorities to the Sheikh, in which
the latter set forth their case against the Sheikh in brief and polite, but forcible
language, and announce their willingness to be friends wuth him if he will under
take to surrender fugitives, and prevent his tribesmen from causing trouble in
Turkish territory.
Something less than justice is done to the Sheikh by this form of settlement
which is entirely in favour of the Turks.
But this must be accepted as inevitable since they are, owing to Persia’s
weakness, now predominant on the river, and preparing to make good their claim