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File 345/1908 Pt 1 'Mohammerah: situation. British assurances to Sheikh.' [‎198r] (400/416)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (203 folios). It was created in 1904-1910. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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No - 9 - lb T-i-f
Sir A. Hardinge to the Marquess of Lansdowne.—(Received April 18.)
DEP^iS^o. 59. Confidential.)
J iVlM i f j
h 01 ''}’- T 7 ^ Tehran, March 30, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith a despatch from His Majesty’s Eesident
in Bus hire, communicating a reply from the Sheikh of Mohammerah to my letter of
the 24th December, 1903, regarding his difficulties with the Persian Government, a
copy of which was inclosed in my despatch No. 13, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Series, of the
29th December, 1903.
I have, &c.
(Signed) AETHUB, H. HARDINGE.
Inclosure 1 in No. 9.
Colonel Kemball to Sir A. Hardinge.
Sir 3 Bushire, March 4, 1904.
WITH reference to your Excellency’s despatch dated the 29th December, 1903,
from Bagdad, transmitting to me, under flying seal Letters which could be freely opened before reaching their destination. , copy of a despatch to the Govern
ment of India, with instructions to forward a copy of the latter to Major Burton, His
Majesty’s Vice-Consul at Mohammerah, I have the honour to forward herewith a letter
to your Excellency’s address from the Sheikh of Mohammerah, and a Memorandum
embodying his reply to your Excellency’s letter of the 24th December, 1903, which
have been forwarded to me by Major Burton for safe transmission.
I have retained a copy of the Memorandum for my records.
I have, &c.
(Signed) C. A. KEMBALL.
Inclosure 2 in No. 9.
Major Burton to Sir A. Hardinge.
(Confidential.) Mohammerah, February 21, 1904.
THE Reis-et-Tujjar arrived from Muzafferia and handed me, on the 20th Feb
ruary, 1904, a letter addressed to His Majesty’s Minister, said to be the acknowledg
ment of the communication from His Majesty’s Minister, forwarded through me, from
the Resident at Bushire, and sent to the Sheikh of Mohammerah, at Muzafferia, on the
27th January last.
The Reis-et-Tujjar then said that the Sheikh of Mohammerah was communicating*
his reply to His Majesty’s Minister’s letter verbally, through the British Consul, as he
was unwilling to trust the post or write in Persian, as his letter might be read by
other than the English Staff of His Majesty’s Legation. In the same way, and for the
same reasons, he preferred that communications of importance should be sent him in
English, and translated to him by the British Consul.
The Reis-et-Tujjar then proceeded to say on behalf of the Sheikh of Mohammerah,
in reply to the letter from His Majesty’s Minister dated Bagdad the 24th December,
1903:—■
That with regard to the assistance promised him in resisting any attempt of the
Persian Government to repudiate the arrangement made with him regarding the
Mohammerah Customs, the Sheikh is greatly obliged. As yet the Persian Government
has not taken sufficiently decided action in that direction to render the intervention of
His Majesty’s Minister necessary. But the Sheikh will inform His Majesty’s Minister
in the event of his being so circumstanced as to require such assistance.
As regards the action of the Belgian Customs authorities in repudiating the
promise of M. Naus, that articles imported for the Sheikh’s private use should be
exempt from Customs dues, the Sheikh is now in correspondence with M. Naus on
this point. If a satisfactory result is not arrived at he will inform His Majesty’s
Minister.
The Sheikh of Mohammerah is now in camp at Muzafferia, and the letter of
M. Naus exempting the Sheikh from customs dues is at Eeilieh; when he returns to
Mohammerah, the Sheikh will submit, as requested, a copy of this letter to His
Majesty’s Minister at Tehran.
(Signed) E. B. BURTON.
(Memorandum inclosed in a complimentary letter dated February 14, 1904.)
I AM am veryVrateful for your Excellency’s kind expressions, and I trust that
through your Excelffikcy’s kind care my affairs will always be in accordance with
(my) desire. A reply., has been give-' to Major Burton, the Vice-Consul, who
Inclosure 3 in No. 9.
Sheikh Khazal of Mohammerah to Sir A. Hardinge.

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Content

The correspondence discusses the situation regarding British assurances to the Sheikh of Mohammerah. The volume includes a description of the Sheikh's perception that, despite his good behaviour towards the British he has not been afforded the support provided to other Arab sheikhs in the Gulf as in Kuwait or Bahrain. Letters include an account of the explanation given to the Sheikh of Mohammerah that Britain recognized Bahrain and Kuwait as independent, in de jure as well as de facto terms; in contrast the British recognized the Shah's sovereignty over Mohammerah.

The correspondence discusses the practicalities of a customs arrangement between the Shah and the Sheikh of Mohammerah mediated by the British. Letters consider the circumstances under which Britain could intervene militarily to protect its interests in the Karun Valley in the event of disorder arising following interference by the Shah.

The correspondence discusses the scope and form of words of the assurance to be given to the Sheikh of Mohammerah and his male descendants, in the event of disorder following from a change in the Persian regime, be it of a royalist, nationalist, or constitutional nature as well as disputes with Bakhtiari khans.

Correspondents include: Shaikh Khazal Khan, Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. -i-Afra, the Shaikh of Mohammerah; The Confidential Agent of the Shaikh of Mohammerah; Major Percy Zachariah Cox, Her Majesty's Consul at Bushire; Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Acting Consul of Mohammerah.

Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (203 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 345 (Mohammerah) consists of two volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/132-133. The volumes are divided into two parts, with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 203; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the one leading flyleaf.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 345/1908 Pt 1 'Mohammerah: situation. British assurances to Sheikh.' [‎198r] (400/416), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/132, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030522025.0x000001> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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