File 3516/1914 Pt 9 'German War: Persia' [‎285r] (574/618)

5
Fighting men of all ^ tribes concerned were at the moment of our arrival
in a state of semi-mobilization and unrest and were awaiting news of a definite
nature in regard to our intentions from thsir Sheikhs. It was, therefore,
necessary to decide at once; and it was difficult to differentiate between one
tribe and another. In order to allow country to settle down and facilitate the
forward movement if settled upon, I accordingly, in consultation with Sir P. Cox,
tieeided that we should in principle assume the attitude of readiness to accept
submissions generally, provided they appeared /kte in each case. I ant
now in a position to be able to report that the Chief Sheikhs of all the tribes
met with between Kurna and the neighbourhood of All Gharbi have made their
submission in a formal manner.
Starting from Kurna end, Beni Malik, who, until the Turks occupied their
villages around the Kota position, had been in friendly relations with us,, came-
in at once on our arrival and desired permission to be allowed to return to
their homes.
Above them on left bank of stream came Mahomet Bairam (?) Tessir (?)
and on the right bank the A1 Bu Mahomet (?) Saibud.
The Chief Political was visited by the Sheikhs of these sections who made'
their formal submission.
Above them came the head of the section of A1 Bu Mahomet represented
by Araibi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. on Jahalah canal on the left bank and by Majid Al-Khalifa at
Majar Al-Kabir canal on the right bank. They had been from the very first
anxious for our arrival and were the first to tender their submission. Formal
visits were paid by their Sheikhs and pending permanent arrangements by
ourselves they were subsequently installed in charge of the late Government’s
mudirates at their headquarters. On the right bank above them come the
Azairij, above and below Amara with headquarters on Majar As-Saghir
canal. Their Sheikhs were installed in same way as the last named.
This brings us to the extensive tract occupied by Beni Lam above Amara
and almost to Kut on the left bank. Ghazban, their principal Sheikh, has of
course been the chief mainstay of the Turks in their incursions into Persia ;
but immediately on our arrival Falin, his brother, wrote expressing his
readiness to hand over to us two Turkish field guns which had fallen into
their hands and also offering to submit. We, therefore, decided in spite of
their previous hostility to regard the delivery of the guns as evidence of their
bona Mes and provided Falin and Ghazban came in m person to offer it, agreed
to accept their submission. This they did and written assurances were given
to the effect that in the event of our moving forward they would if desired
co-operate and would in any case guarantee^ that on the river within their
sphere we would not meet with any tribal opposition.
Only important tribe up to and beyond Ali Gharbi, apart from Beni Lam,
is m Bu Lurraj. Their Sheikh also in person tendered his submission. As-
far then as one can judge from tho above, no tribal opposition need be expected
bv us up to Ali Gharbi or possibly up to Kut provided that at the latter place
these tribes are not dominated by strong Turkish reinforcements.
Many personal jealousies exist between the individual Sheikhs which have
hpen fomented by the late Goyernmentj these tribal elements will
hlrefere be difficult problem and will require careful handling The position
or the present seems satisfactory. From outside, our t^sk will be facilitated
FKut-aLAmara which is only a few miles outside conventional Yikyet (of)
Wah can be brought within our present sphere of occupation, including, as-
l would the starting point for all irrigation works m Basrah Vilayet from
iWs Our hold on the tribes in future will depend mainly m no small
Sure on the extent to which in direction (of) irrigation their agricultural
nterests are promoted by us.
Repeated to Chief of the General Staff, Simla, and Secretary of State.