ملف رقم ٧٥٧ لسنة ١٩٠٩ "الخليج الفارسي: تركيا والعدوان التركي (احتلال جزيرة الزخنونية. الموقف تجاه قضايا القرصنة. المدراء في الزبارة والعُديد والوكرة) العلاقات البريطانية مع تركيا في الخليج الفارسي" [ظ‎‎١‎٩‎٥] (٤٩٥/٣٩٥)

CONFIDENTIAL.
I
Sir G. Lowther to Sir Edward Grey.—{Received August 1G, 8 a.m.)
* N °' Av Li t i r i - , Therapia, August 16, 1910, 12-30 a.m.
UA 18th July Lynchs manager and another British subject at Bagdad received
notice that their premises were to be demolished as unsafe. Despite the fact that
owners and consul-general after inspection disputed this and protested to the local
authorities, and despite my representations at the Porte, forcible demolition was being
proceeded with on ith August. Municipality are driving a road through site of
emoiislied buildings, and demolition without the knowledge of the owners and without
payment of value duly established is arbitrary, illegal, and veiled spoliation. Lynch’s
agent, on instructions from hrm, is claiming through the consul-general immediate
restoration of land seized and erection of temporary tents on the site of the former
p a P enc | 1D £ the lawsuit contemplated. I am entering a vigorous protest to the
1 oruy and supporting the above demand for the restoration of the land, &c.
Consul-gencial reports that the action of the local authorities in this and other
matters is obviously intended to strike a blow at foreign prestige. He learns of a
probable further intention to carry new road, the continuation of which will strike the
ntis i lesidency wall at right angles through the residency compound and divide the
residency grounds and buildings into nearly two equal parts, although this might be
easily avoided by a slight deviation following the existing road.
Other foreigners are affected in a minor degree by the high-handed policy of the
liagdad and Bussorah authorities [group omitted: ? but it] is especiallv damaging
to British prestige and interests, and I think that a distinct stand should be made by
us against illegal actions to prevent the process going further. I trust this course
meets with your approval. I have received only evasive replies about the occupation
of the island mentioned m your despatch No. 220 of 8th August, and now learn
ol the appointment of mudir to Hodeidah. I am reporting on this latter by post.