File 3443/1914 Pt 2 'German War: German emissaries to Afghanistan' [‎125r] (259/490)

5
Fitting men of all tribes concerned were at the moment of our arrival
in a state ot semi-mobilization and unrest and were awaiting news of a definite
nature in regard to our intentions from their Sheikhs. It was, therefore
necessary to decide at once; and it was difficult to differentiate between one
tnbe and another In order to allow country to settle down and facilitate the
forward movement if settled upon, I accordingly, in consultation with Sir P. Cox
decided that we should in principle assume the attitude of readiness to accent
submissions generally, provided they appeared bona fide in each case lam
now in a position to be able to report that the Chief Sheikhs of all the tribes
met with between Kurna and the neighbourhood of Ali Gharbi have made their
submission in a formal manner.
Starting from Kurna end, Beni Malik, who, until the Turks occupied their
villages around the liota position, had been in friendly relations with us, came
in at once on our arrival and desired permission to be allowed to return to
their homes.
Above them on left bank of stream came Mahomet Bairam (?) Yessir (?)
and on the right bank the A1 Bu Mahomet (?) Saihud. K '
The Chief Political was visited by the Sheikhs of these sections who made
their formal submission.
Above them came the head of the section of A1 Bu Mahomet represented
by Araibi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. on Jahalah canal on the left bank and by Majid Al-Khalifa at
Majar Al-Kabir canal on the right bank. They had been from the very first
anxious for our arrival and were the first to tender their submission. Pormal
visits were paid by their Sheikhs and pending permanent arrangements by
ourselves they were subsequently installed in charge of the late Government’s
mudirates at their headquarters. On the right bank above them come the
Azairij, above and below Amara with headquarters on Majar As-Saghir
canal. Their Sheikhs were installed in same way as the last named.
This brings us to the extensive tract occupied by Beni Lam above Amara
and almost to Kut on the left bank. Ghazban, their principal Sheikh, has of
course been the chief mainstay of the Turks in their incursions into Persia;
but immediately on our arrival Palin, bis brother, wrote expressing his
readiness to hand over to us two Turkish field guns which had fallen into
their hands and also offering to submit. We, therefore, decided in spite of
their previous hostility to regard the delivery of the guns as evidence of their
bona fides and provided Palin and Ghazban came in in person to offer it, agreed
to accept their submission. This they did and written assurances were given
to the effect that in the event of our moving forward they would if desired
co-operate and would in any case guarantee that on the river within their
sphere we would not meet with any tribal opposition.
Only important tribe up to and beyond Ali Gharbi, apart from Beni Lam,
is (?) Bu Durraj. Their Sheikh also in person tendered his submission. As
far then as one can judge from the above, no tribal opposition need he expected
by us up to Ali Gharbi or possibly up to Kut provided that at the latter place
these tribes are not dominated by strong Turkish reinforcements.
Many personal jealousies exist between the individual Sheikhs which have
always been fomented by the late Government; these tribal elements will
therefore be difficult problem and will require careful handling. The position
for the present seems satisfactory. Prom outside, our task will be facilitated
if Kut-al-Amara which is only a few miles outside conventional y ilayet (of)
Basrah can be brought within our present sphere of occupation, including, as
it would, the starting point for all irrigation works in Basrah Vilayet from
Tigris. Our hold on the tribes in future will depend mainly in no small
measure on the extent to which in direction (of) irrigation their agricultural
interests are promoted by us.
Bepeated to Chief of the General Staff, Simla, and Secretary of State.