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File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎17r] (38/566)

The record is made up of 1 volume (281 folios). It was created in 1910-1915. 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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9
written by them to the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz undoubtedly strengthens its
value, but past history shows that the Bakhtiaris have frequently broken
their word to us. Thus though we can be certain of making the Sheikh
adhere to the terms of his agreement, we are unfortunately not in a position
to say the same with regard to the Bakhtiaris.
This the Sheikh feels, and it causes him considerable anxiety. Though
the Bakhtiari question is one of the active causes which lias made the Sheikh
approach ns, it does not constitute the whole cause, but is rather a strong-
link in the chain of events which has made him consider the general question
of his position.
The recent history of Persia gives him cause to think ; he sees Russian
influence spreading in the north, and considers that Persia is steadily and
surely falling to pieces. He has, I am afraid, no faith m the power of
Nasir-ul-Mulk to assist even or to stem the tide.
In the circumstances I trust that I may be pardoned if I attempt to out
line the situation as it would appear to exist.
Our policy during recent years lias been to avoid anything which could
lead to a possibility of intervention on our part, and as a consequence, we
have attempted to bolster up Persia and to make it stand upon its own legs,
while in the north the Russians, who have not been handicapped by the same
fear, have used their forces to assist in the pacification of the country. In
the furtherance of our object we have assisted in the formation of a
gendarmerie, officered by Swedish officers, and, at the present minute the
future of Persia depends upon the success of this movement. Should it fail
there will be a condition of confusion worse confounded, for which condition
it will be necessary to be prepared.
Should, however, we postulate the gendarmerie to be a success, we shall
have the customs in the hands of the Belgians, and the Persian Government
forces in the hands of the Swedes. In addition the revenues, posts, and
telegraphs will be in the hands of the Belgians ; this latter, however, can
only be a temporary measure, for with peace and quiet in the country, there
would have to be an extension of the number of the Europeans in charge of
departments, and 1 cannot believe that we shoidd find it politic to have these
departments entirely managed by Belgians controlled by one head, of their
own nation, who might be influenced against us and repeat the programme
of Monsieur Nans. It would be better to have an international service than
to have complete Belgian control.
Whatever the system, however, it can but result in an increased number
of Europeans and general European control. To take Persia out of its
present financial chaos an honest administration is required, and there are
not sufficient honest men in Persia to supply the offices of one district. The
classes from which the officials and governors of the country are recruited
are hopelessly corrupt, and the Customs Department itself, which has been
for so many years under Belgian control, is a sufficient proof of the
impossibility of any department being left to Persians ; it is a commonplace
that were the Belgians removed the department would fall to pieces in six
months.
Such European control in Arabistan is bound to come into opposition
with rights and powers of the Sheikh.
% In our assurances of 1910 we guarantee the Sheikh against encroachment
on his rights or privileges on the part of the Persian Government. These
assurances were dictated by our policy in the Gulf and recent events have
shown the wisdom of the policy which determined them.
That European control of the revenue, Customs and gendarmerie is
bound to result in opposition to the rights of the Sheikh is shown by the
history of the Customs Department in Mohammerah. That department has
from the first aud until to-day attempted to override the rights and privileges
of the Sheikh as contained in his firmans.
In these conditions vre shall have to support the Sheikh at a time when
that support will not be easy or we shall have to let our assurances to the
Sheikh go by the board and with them our exceptional position in Arabistan.
Up to the present v interests in Arabistan have been absolutely British
and the only foreign firm, that of Messrs. Wonckhaus, has been of no
importance. With the opening up of the country, however, and the arrival

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Content

Correspondence including telegrams, hand written letters and printed enclosures, discusses an attack by a Turkish gun-boat on a village - Zain, belonging to the Shaikh of Mohammerah - which lay on the Turkish bank of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. The correspondence outlines the circumstances that led to the quarrel between the Turkish authorities and the Sheikh of Mohammerah, and suggestions that the Porte should be urged to replace the Wali of Basrah with a less aggressive official.

Correspondence discusses the proposal to give the Shaikh of Mohammerah assurances against naval attack, whatever the pretext for such action; letters and telegrams also discuss the award of a decoration (Knight Commander of the Indian Empire) to the Shaikh of Mohammerah.

A letter (dated 7 December 1913) from Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , outlines the Government of India's interests in Arabistan including: the oil fields and their future; irrigation; railway enterprises; telegraphs; Russian and German activity.

Correspondents include Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Sir Gerard Lowther, Ambassador to Constantinople; Charles Murray Marling, Ambassador to Tehran; Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign affairs; Francis Edward Crow, H M Consul at Bussorah [Basra]; Arnold Talbot Wilson, H M Consul at Mohammerah; Shaikh Khazal bin Jabir, Shaikh of Mohammerah; Wali of Bussorah; Viceroy of India.

Extent and format
1 volume (281 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 345 (Mohammerah: situation) 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: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 278; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, 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 folio sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the one ending flyleaf.

An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel throughout; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎17r] (38/566), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/133, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030525713.0x000027> [accessed 19 March 2024]

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