File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [204v] (413/566)
The record is made up of 1 volume (281 folios). It was created in 1910-1915. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
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’atuk-bin-
Nafta, brother of Barak, 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 vali’s action seems
to me to be unjustifiable and high-handed, 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.
Enclosure 6 in No. 1.
Acting Consul Wilson to Consul-General Cox.
(No. 404.)
(Telegraphic.) P. Mohammerah, April 25, 1910.
SHEIKH and vali of Bussorah.
Turkish gun-boat “ Marmaris ” to-day shelled and burnt village of Muhammad
Chanan, opposite Mohammerah, in Turkish territory, the property of Sheikh of
Mohammerah. Damage done about 600L
Yali of Bussorah 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 vali’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 vali, 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, gun-boat 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 Bussorah this evening to see His Majesty’s consul at that port.
Full details by mail.
Telephone message posted the 27th April, 1910, to Wilson:—
“Pour telegram No. 404 received. I await result of your consultation with
Crow.—Cox.”
Enclosure 7 in No. 1.
Acting Consul \] ilson to Consul-General Cox.
(No. 405.)
(Telegraphic.) P. Mohammerah, April 25, WIO.
MY telegram No. 404.
Sheikh has wired to Mirza Hamza, his Bussorah agent now in charge of
Mohammerah, telling him that he is to act strictly in accordance with whatever advice
I give him, and also asked if it was desirable for him to leave Nasiri or not.
I have advised the sheikh not to leave Ahwaz for the present, as his hasty arrival
will cause comment and show that he is afraid of the actions of the vali.
As regards settlement between the sheikh and the vali, I have advised the sheikh s
agent to go to Bussorah shortly and interview the vali. /To say that the whole
question of the vali’s action in burning the village turns on whether Muhammad
Chanan is a Persian or a Turkish subject. If the former, the vali is not justified; if
the latter, he is.
He should suggest that the question of the nationality of Muhammad Chanan
should be referred to some impartial and skilled person such as His Majesty’s consul at
Bussorah, so as to obtain an independent verdict.
About this item
- Content
Correspondence including telegrams, hand written letters and printed enclosures, discusses an attack by a Turkish gun-boat on a village - Zain, belonging to the Shaikh of Mohammerah - which lay on the Turkish bank of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. The correspondence outlines the circumstances that led to the quarrel between the Turkish authorities and the Sheikh of Mohammerah, and suggestions that the Porte should be urged to replace the Wali of Basrah with a less aggressive official.
Correspondence discusses the proposal to give the Shaikh of Mohammerah assurances against naval attack, whatever the pretext for such action; letters and telegrams also discuss the award of a decoration (Knight Commander of the Indian Empire) to the Shaikh of Mohammerah.
A letter (dated 7 December 1913) from Percy Zachariah Cox, 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. , outlines the Government of India's interests in Arabistan including: the oil fields and their future; irrigation; railway enterprises; telegraphs; Russian and German activity.
Correspondents include Percy Zachariah Cox, 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. ; Sir Gerard Lowther, Ambassador to Constantinople; Charles Murray Marling, Ambassador to Tehran; Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign affairs; Francis Edward Crow, H M Consul at Bussorah [Basra]; Arnold Talbot Wilson, H M Consul at Mohammerah; Shaikh Khazal bin Jabir, Shaikh of Mohammerah; Wali of Bussorah; Viceroy of India.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (281 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 345 (Mohammerah: situation) consists of two volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/132-133. The volumes are divided into two parts, with each part comprising one volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 278; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
The folio sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the one ending flyleaf.
An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel throughout; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [204v] (413/566), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/133, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030525715.0x00000e> [accessed 29 December 2024]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/133
- Title
- File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:280v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence