ملف رقم ٣٤٥ لسنة ١٩٠٨ الجزء الثاني "المحمرة: الوضع. نزاع الشيخ مع والي البصرة. تقليد الشيخ وساماً. تجديد التطمينات للشيخ". [و‎‎٢‎٥‎٣] (٥٦٦/٥١٠)

[This Documeht is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government. 1
^ 5 ^ ^
[February 17.]
Section 5.
[5618]
No. 1.
India Office to Foreign Office.—(Received February 17.)
Sir, India Office, February 16, 1910.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India to say that he has given his
careful attention to your letter No. 1006 of the 31st January, on the subject of the
further assurances which the Sheikh of Mohammerah desires to receive from His Majesty’s
Government, and I am to offer the following remarks upon the proposals made by
Secretary Sir E. Grey : —
1. As regards the extension of the present assurances to the sheikh’s male
descendants, I am to say that the proviso that they are only to hold good so long as his
male descendants not only fulfil their obligations to His Majesty’s and the Persian
Governments, but also are acceptable to the tribesmen, removes the objection which
Viscount Morley would have felt to giving an unqualified dynastic pledge, and he
approves the proposal accordingly.
2. On the point of the time limit, he is inclined to doubt the wisdom of departing
from the present indefinite assurance, in view of the uncertainty of the future in
the Persian Gulf; and he is confirmed in his doubt by the consideration urged in
paragraph 15 of your letter read with head 2 of Major Cox’s memorandum, which
explains the origin of the sheikh’s desire. He would accordingly suggest that this
concession should be kept in reserve for the present.
3. Lord Morley is willing to submit the sheikh’s name to the King for the grant
of an honorary K.C.I.E. on a suitable occasion, as to which Sir E. Grey will doubtless
advise him.
4. On the question of protecting the sheikh against foreign aggression, his lordship
observes that, though the extension of the assurance from naval defence^ to defence by
land introduces no new principle, it is undoubtedly open to serious practical objections ;
and he shares Sir E. Grey’s desire that His Majesty’s Government should not bind
themselves to forcible intervention. He would suggest that the language of our agree
ment with the Ameer might conveniently be followed, and that the assurance should
run : “ His Majesty’s Government will be prepared to aid you to such extent and in
such manner as may appear to them desirable in the event of an unprovoked attack by
a foreign Power or encroachment,” &c. In the longer form of assurance intended for the
sheikh’s personal satisfaction, as well as in that to be shown to the tribesmen, it should
be made very plain that this guarantee is conditional upon his being guided by our
advice and maintaining an attitude satisfactory to us.
5. The other proposals seem to Lord Morley to be suitable ; but he would be glad
if he might be allowed to see the draft assurances in their final form be foie instructions
are sent to Sir George Barclay.
I am, &c.
R RITCHIE.
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