File 3846/1910 'Mesopotamia: Baghdad affairs. Miscellaneous.' [‎158r] (324/536)

I do not wish to add to the contents of an already overburdened despatch ; but I
cannot refrain from remarking here that the manner in which the local Government of
Bagdad have abused their freedom in matters of immovable property is a valuable
^commentary on the desire of the Porte to obtain a relaxation of the Capitulations
hearing upon the personal rights of foreigners. I shall have more to say on the
subject of the Capitulations in a later despatch, in which I shall be obliged to
trouble your Excellency with an account of what appears to be a serious outrage
lately committed upon a British Indian subject at Bagdad by the Turkish police.
As British Indian subjects are affected, I am submitting a copy of this despatch
and its enclosures to the Government of India. I do not think, however, that the
Government of India will wish to see the purports of my telegraphic correspondence
with your Excellency, mainly on the subject of Messrs. Lynch’s premises ; and I have
therefore omitted them from the enclosures.
I trust that I may be fortunate enough to secure your Excellency s approval of my
conduct of this case so far as it has yet proceeded.
I have, &c.
J. G. LORIMEB, I.C.S.,
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 Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. .
Enclosure 25 in No. 1.
Consul-General Larimer to the T ali of Bagdad.
Your Excellency, Bagdad, Juhj 18, 1910.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have received an application tor
assistance from Mr. T. W. Parry, the representative of Messrs. Stephen Lynch and Go.
at Bagdad, in which he states that he is informed that it is intended by the municipality
to demolish a wall, some shops, and possibly other buildings as well, belonging to his
firm, on the ground that they are in a dangerous condition. ,
Mr. Parry states that he has received no formal notice on the subject, but that he
is told that the work will be proceeded with at once. He disputes the allegation that
the structures are in a dangerous state. n u n r
In these circumstances, as Messrs. Stephen Lynch and Co. are a British hrm
would request your Excellency kindly to inform me which buildings of Messrs. Lynchs
it is-intended to demolish, and to give orders that demolition should be postponed
until this consulate-general has had an opportunity to enquire into and understand
the facts.
Pray accept, &c.
J a T.ORTMFP
Endorsement dated July 18, 1910.
A copy of the foregoing is sent to Messrs. Stephen Lynch and Co. for information
with reference to their letter dated the 18th July, 1910. ^ ^ LOBIMER
Enclosure 26 in No. 1.
Consul-General Lomner to the 1 ah of Bagdad.
Your Excellency Bagdad, July 22, 1910.
WITH a view of avoiding difficulties at the last moment, I have the honour to
request that you will very kindly inform me whether any land or buildings belonging
to British subjects will be required m connection with the public improvements whic i
are now being carried out at Bagdad. I should be glad to know at the same time the
official estimate which has been placed on the property of each with a view to compensa
tion, and to be referred to the particular law under which expropriation will take place
In this manner, everything can be satisfactorily arranged m advance between the vilayat
and this consulate-general.
Pray accept, &c.
J. G. LOBIMER.