File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎107r] (218/566)

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Telephone message posted, 27th April 1910, to Wilson.
Cron^Gox 61 ^ 111 4 ° 4 reCeived- 1 await result of your consultation with
Telegram No. 405, dated the 26th April 1910.
From- His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, Mohammerah,
To—The 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. , Bushire.
My telegram No. 404.
Sheikh has wired to Mirza Hamza, his Basrah Agent now in charge of
Mohammerah telling him that he is to act strictly in accordance with whafever
advice I give him, and also asked if it was desirable for him to leave Nasiri or not.
. 1 ha y e adv,sed the S h eikh to leave Ahwaz for the present, as his hasty
arrival will cause comment, and show that he is afraid of the actions of the Wali.
. As regards settlement between the Sheikh and the Wali, l have advised the
Sheikh’s Agent to go to Basrah shortly, and interview the Wali. To say that
the whole question of the Wali’s action in burning the village turns on whether
Muhammad Chanan is a Persian or a Turkish subject. If the former, the Wali
is not justified, if the latter, he is.
He should suggest that the question of the nationality of Muhammad
Chanan should be referred to some impartial and skilled person such as His
Majesty’s Consul at Basrah, so as to obtain an independent verdict.
He should do nothing to give the Turks an excuse for further aggressive
action, and should be conciliatory. He should consult His Majesty^s Consul
at Basrah before acting. His Majesty’s Consul at Basrah reports that Turks
are shortly bringing out 2 more gunboats. Copy by post to Basrah.
No. 423, dated the 30th April 1910. Enclo.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, Mohammerah,
To—The 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. , Bushire.
I have the honour to forward copies of the marginally noted correspondence
on the subject of the action of the Turks
ms a vis the Sheikh of Mohammerah,
in continuation of my letter No. 412 of the
27th April 1910.
Consul Basrah, to Consul, Mohammerah, No.
46 , dated 27th April 1910.
Consul, Mohammerah, to Resident, Telegram
No. 414 dated April 2Sth 1910.
v 2. I beg to offer the following comments on Mr. Crow’s despatch No. 46,
of April 27th.
3. The evidence that is available here tends to show that Muhammad
Chanan is, according to international law, a Persian subject.
4. Although it is no doubt true that the Turks have not been able to exact
redress in the past, it is equally true for the same reason, that they have been
wholly unable to keep order on their side of the river and in Basrah, and the
Sheikh has had frequent cause to complain of this. It has always been a conve
nient excuse for the Turkish subordinate officials to report that the criminal in
question had fled to Mohammerah; it is known that ifacilities for so doing
were not infrequently afforded them by the said officials.
5. The question of the frontier, so far as it affects Failiyah, raised by the
Wali, is dealt with in my letter to you, No. 255, of 12th March 1910.
6. Minawi and Ajrawiyah (mentioned in His Majesty’s Consul Basrah’s
Despatch No. 22 of 23rd April) are in Turkish territory, close to Basrah and
there is not, I believe, the slightest evidence, beyond the interested assertions
of the Basrah Police, to show that the crimes there are in any way connected with
Mohammerah. Mirza Hamza assures me most definitely that the murderer is
at present in Turkish territory in Diaji, and that the Basrah police are afraid,
to apprehend him.