'Mesopotamia' [‎20v] (40/152)

30
HISTORY
iNo. 92
was recognised by the Ottoman Government. From
1842, however, the Turkish authorities showed a dis
position to curtail the privileges hitherto enjoyed by
British merchant ships; and constant disputes arose
over the illegal exaction of transit duties. An agree
ment was therefore concluded in 1846 between Great
Britain and the Porte formally recognising the right
of British vessels to navigate Mesopotamian
waters. In 1861 Messrs. Lynch Brothers formed
the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company,
whose first steamer was placed on the Tigris in the fol
lowing year. All attempts to extend or facilitate
British commercial navigation in Mesopotamia met,
however, with constant opposition from the Turkish
authorities. In 1867 a line of steamers was con
stituted under the Turkish flag and under official
direction, and from the time of Midhat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's rule at
Baghdad these steamers were used almost exclusively
for commercial purposes, with the object of driving the
British boats off the river. In soite of the resulting
competition, the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Naviga
tion Company continued to carry the British mails, to
develop trade, and to extend British influence in Meso
potamia. From 1907 a fusion of this Company with
the Turkish Government Company was projected, but
negotiations were abandoned in 1910.
The Porte then declared that the navigation of the
Tigris and Euphrates would be thrown open to Otto
man subiects only; and various permits were issued, to
which His Majesty's Govefrnment took exception as
encouraging unfair competition in view of the restric
tions imposed upon the British Company.
As the sreneral position was far from satisfactorv, it
was insisted, in the negotiations between the British
;ind Ottoman Governments which resulted in the
De^lnration sioned at London Jnlv 29. 1918, that the
rights enjoyed by Lynch Br others should be specified in
express terms and in treaty form, and be recosrnised as
permanent. It was also arranged that all other
commercial navigation by steamships should be the