File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎172r] (348/566)

He, however, modified his attitude to some extent, as, when he attended a
reception by the vali held on the “ Marmaris,” he listened coldly to the vali’s triumphant
remarks on the subject of the gun-boat’s action, and fas he informed me) told the vali
that his impetuous action was ill-calculated to secure the results ostensibly desired, and
^ that he would have done well to consult His Majesty’s consul before taking action.
The vali shortly afterwards left for Bagdad, where he was to meet Nazim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
under whose general control he now is. He received an exceptionally cordial and
distinguished reception.
The sheikh meanwhile, at A.hwaz, telegraphed for advice to me as to whether he
should return to Mohammerah at once or not. I replied that he should not return at
present as his precipitate arrival on the scene would certainly create a lively anticipation
of reprisals, the expectation of which might induce the vali to pursue his hostile policy
still further. My fears were confirmed by the vali’s letters about this time (the
^6th April) to the Persian consul-general at Bussorah, in which he threatened to attack
Mohammerah.
As the sheikh is guaranteed by ns against unprovoked attack by sea, he at once, on
learning of this letter, telegraphed to Mirza Hamza to beg me to telegraph to Bpshire
asking that we would support him in accordance with our promises by sending a gun-boat
to Mohammerah to protect him from attack by sea, and to show the Turks that we could
not tolerate any such action. This suggestion was negatived by His Majesty’s charge
d’affaires, Tehran, and luckily the vali did not carry out his threats.
The sheikh feels acutely our refusal to send a gun-boat in spite of the fact that an
attack on Mohammerah was officially threatened by the vali unless Mohammed Ohanan
was surrendered. The refusal has detracted from the value in his eyes of our assurances,
since on the only occasion when we have been asked to render him prompt support we
have withheld it for fear of giving umbrage to the Turks.
On the 5th May, Haji Rais, the sheikh’s right-hand man, who had been sent down
by the sheikh with instructions to consult me as to the advisability of proceeding to
Bussorah to interview the vali, arrived at Nasiri. With my concurrence he went on to
Bussorah, though in a state of considerable trepidation for his personal safety. The vali had
by this time left for Bagdad, and Haji Rais accordingly visited the acting vali and by his
intermediation effected a temporary settlement with the vah, the acting vah giving him
a letter to the sheikh, offering to resume amicable relations on certain conditions. The
letter contained much that was objectionable to the sheikh, threats and unjustified
allegations being freely intermingled with polite phrases. But Haji Rais, in the weak
position which he was, having clearly understood from Mr. Crow that His Majesty’s
consul had no authority to press the vali to descend from the position which he had
taken up, felt bound to accept it as assuring a temporary cessation of hostilities. He
was, moreover, plainly informed (1m told me) by Mr. Crow that his orders “ to promote an
amicable settlement did not in his opinion justify any attempt to put active pressure
on the vali. I agreed with Haji Rais that, this being the case, the settlement was the
best ad interim arrangement procurable pending a decision by His Majesty’s Govern
ment on the general question, and it was represented to and regarded by the sheikh in
this light.
B urther negotiations were then delayed for a fortnight pending the return of the
sheikh from Ahwaz, where he was occupied in reconciling the Arab tribes near Dizful to
each other, with a view to preventing disturbances there.
On the 24th May he returned from Ahwaz, and I at once communicated to him
Foreign Office telegram No. 137 (received on the 14th May), stating that serious
representations had been made in Constantinople, and that a gun-boat would be held
in readiness in case it should be required for the protection of Mohammerah territory.
This announcement did a good deal to improve the sheikh’s state of mind, and gave him
reason to hope that the eventual settlement provided would have adequate regard for
liis rights and prestige as well as for those of Turkey.
The sheikh consulted me as to the tenor of the reply which he should send to the
vali in answer to the acting vali’s letter of the 11th May. I outlined a reply which
seemed to be suitable, and he concurred with me unreservedly. I then submitted the
outlines of the proposed reply for the approval of the resident. I also sent a copy to
Mr. Cio^vv, who, in leply, informed me that, with a few minor alterations, he considered
the reply unobjectionable.
In the meanwhile I received orders to proceed to Bussorah to confer with
Mr. Crow with a view to a settlement on the lines of Foreign Office telegram No. 165
(leceived lehian, the 26th May), 'i.e., ‘ sheikh to promise to give up Turkish criminals
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