File 1356/1912 Pt 1 'Turco-Persian Frontier:- negotiations at Constantinople.' [‎53r] (115/885)

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No adjustment on the basis of the mediating commissioners’ line is conceivable ; it
is not merely a question of territory, for the present boundary is a natural one, very
strong strategically for both parties, and as such deserving of adoption. It is also a
_ racial boundary, for the tribes on the Turkish side of the border are, like their masters,
Sunnis, whereas the Beni Taruf, Beni Salih, &c., are Shiahs, like Persians. A bitter
hostility exists between them,* and I am persuaded that no decision of The Hague or of
any other body could give effect in practice to any other frontier but the present, except
at the expense of much blood and money. It need scarcely be said that Turkey would
not gain in any way from such an extension of her territory, as the Arab tribes on this
border pay no taxes to .Turkey to speak of.
Note 9.
Page 4f> : The Sheikh of Mohammerah’s purchases of Land.
I am unable to understand what can have given rise to the idea that the sheikh is
pursuing a policy of gradual territorial encroachment by means of the purchase of real
estate. A general survey of his position in Turkey as a landowner is given at p. 58 of
Wilsons precis, but it cannot be too strongly emphasised that the sheikh conforms to
Turkish law like any other foreigner in all matters concerning his estates and buildings
on Turkish soil, and that the purchase of land by him involves no question of territorial
encroachment any more than in the case of Sheikh Mubarak, who has also purchased
in recent years extensive properties in Turkey.
I would refer to pp. 58 and 59 of Lieutenant Wilson’s precis on Arabistan.
—A.P.
Although in 1909 a hot-headed vali did much to strain the relations existing
between the sheikh and the local Turkish officials, this year (1912) the sheikh’s relations
are again cordial, and, if things are allowed to remain where they are, will doubtless
remain so.
Note 10.
Map opposite p. 46.
I venture to point out that this map is quite inaccurate, and has been cancelled and
withdrawn from sale by the Survey of India. Beference should be made to the map
enclosed in Lorimer’s “ Gazetteer,” or to the 4-mile = 1 -inch maps of Arabistan, which
were sent to His Majesty’s Foreign Office in 1909.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1 .
Extract from a Letter from the Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bussorah, to the Political
Resident in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. , Bagdad, dated December 30, 1891, forwarded to the
Government of India in the Foreign DepaHment under Bushire Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Letter
of February 1, 1892.
HIS Excellency the vali stated that the frontier line between Turkey and Persia was
at present a matter of dispute between the two countries, that the Porte claimed Moham-
merah as Turkish territory, that negotiations were pending between the two countries
by which Persia would give up certain territory between Zoab and Khanikin, and that
in consideration thereof Turkey was to relinquish all claim to Mohammerah and the
islands in that vicinity.
o *
* See “ Gazetteer,” p. 69.