File 345/1908 Pt 1 'Mohammerah: situation. British assurances to Sheikh.' [‎74r] (152/416)

control of the Mohammerah and Ah was customs, as at present, by farming them to
him at a figure based on the average receipts for a past term of years, subject
to periodical revision. Can we meet his wishes in this direction ?
5. Having regard to the possibility which he apprehends of the break up of Persia
and of our intervention in the south, he would be relieved by an assurance that we
would maintain him and his tribesmen in the enjoyment of their present rights and
territory and internal autonomy as we do now in the case of Bahrein, Koweit, &c., and
that in case it should be found possible to preserve that state of things, we would
undertake to give him the personal revenue he now enjoys and give him an asylum in
India or elsewhere.
6. Quite apart from the desired assurances set forth in the foregoing paragraph,
the sheikh explains that the resume of the various assurances given him from time to
time up to now, which I recorded at his request in my letter to him dated the
16th May, 1909, is in that form suitable for his own information; but that owing to
the references made in it to previous documents and previous occasions and the length
of this letter, it is not a document which he could conveniently show to, or would be
comprehended by, his tribal elders.
On the other hand, he considers it of urgent importance that he should, in order
to quiet any apprehensions on the part of his tribesmen, and also to strengthen their
support of himself and their faith in the friendly policy of the British Grovernment,
have some brief form of written assurance in general terms which he can show to them.
Asked to state offhand what sort of form and terms such an assurance as he had
in mind should, in his opinion, take, he dictated the words of which I attach a literal
translation.
It seems to me that, with slight modifications, it could be put into a form which
His Majesty’s Government might be able to approve and which would suffice for the
sheikh’s purpose.
P. Z. C.
Translation of Brief Form of Assurances of the nature desired by Sheikh Khazal, and in
the terms dictated by him to Major Cox.
(Eor communication to tribal elders.)
I am authorized to inform you that whatsoever change may take place m the state
of the government of Persia, and whether it be Boyalist or Nationalist, the British
Government will be prepared to afford you support and protection for preventing any
sort of encroachment on your property, jurisdiction, and rights; and will likewise
protect you against foreign Powers, and not allow any encroachment to be made on
your property, jurisdiction, and rights. These assurances have been given foi yourself
and afterwards for your male descendents by the British Government.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Revised Version of Assurance to Sheikh of Mohammerah.
I AM authorised to inform you that, no matter what change may take place in
the form of the government of Persia, and, whether it be Boyalist or Nationalist, the
British Government will be prepared to afford you the support necessary for obtaining
a satisfactory solution in the event of any encroachment by the Persian Government on
your jurisdiction and recognised rights or on your property m eisia.
In like manner they will afford you protection against molestation from foreign
Powers, and will not permit any encroachment to be made by them on your said juris
diction and recognized rights or upon your property m Persia.
These assurances are given for yourself by the British Government and are
intended to extend to your male descendents so long as you or they shall not have
failed to observe your obligations to the Central Government and shall have continued
to he guided by our advice and maintain an attitude satisfactory to us.