File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎23v] (51/566)

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untenable I think that there is no doubt that he would be as amenable to our
influence as is the present Shaikh and would as Regent be able to preserve e
continuity of the present rule.
In this reference it will recur to your memory that in the actual assurances C
which we gave to the Shaikh as opposed to the copy which was to be shown to
rhe tribes we stipulated that he and his successors should continue to be
acceptable to the tribesmen.
The developments of the general situation have made the Shaikh w!sh to see
these words eliminated, as I reported in the memorandum which I forwarded with
my letter No. m-C., dated and August last.
The question turns very largely on the view taken of the suggestion which
I made in the memorandum referred to.
I would recommend however that the words in question should be eliminated.
I do not think that they add particularly to the elements of stability which we
require while they open the way to intrigue should they become known.
In substitution therefor I would recommend that we should give the Shaikh
the unqualified assurance he demands with reference to succession but that we
should in consequence equally demand that we should be consulted on the
question of the determination of the Shaikh’s successor.
This right, which I have no doubt the Shaikh would readily admit, would
strengthen our position greatly and would at the same time obtain what was
required in the former wording.
Enclosure No. 2.
No. 128-C., dated Mohammerah, the 13th September 1913.
From— MAJOR L. Haworth, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul for Arabistan,
To—The 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. , Bushire,
I have the honour to inform you that some days ago the Shaikh, in discus
sing local matters with me, referred to the difficulties which followed in the
train of the development of Mohammerah and said that he often debated whether
he had not been happier in the old days before he had to undergo the tear and
strain the result of what was expected from him now in consequence of his
enhanced responsibilities. He finally said that he felt that he would be obliged
to get an European to act as an adviser to him.
A few days later Haji Mushir, in discussing the arrangements of the town
made exactly the same statement as being a necessity.
I cannot think that this was mere coincidence and it suggests that the
subject had been debated.
In recent letters I have argued that it is certain that the Belgians will
endeavour to increase their numbers in Arabistan and that the natural result will
be the continued attempt to encroach on the Shaikh’s privileges. Of this we
already have signs.
On the other hand it is also certain that with the steady increase of
uropeans in this district, with the arrival of a railway and the formation of a
port, the Shaikh will not be able to carry on with the officials now at his disposal.
The strain is already telling on such as the Deputy Governor, who has been all
his life accustomed to governing by rule of thumb in a glorified Arab village, and
is somewhat flabbergasted at the nature of the complaints which he receives
trom European residents.
In fact Haji Rais is the only one who takes to new conditions completely.
I gave no answer to either the Shaikh or Haji Mushir on the subject of an
European adviser andthe matter has not been raised again but! imauine that
fresh difficulties will bring up the subject once more. & magine that