File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎110v] (225/566)

to There is no indication at present that the Wali intends to raise the
nnestion of the Turko-Persian boundary in the neighbourhood of Mohammerah,
and it is to be hoped that he will not do so.
I have addressed 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. separately on
this subject in my letter No. 255 of 12th March 1910.
In connection with the general questions pending between the Wali and
the Sheikh 1 would invite a reference to the map of the Shatt-el-Arab on the 1 mile
= 1 inch scale copies of which were forwarded to Sir George Barclay under my
No. 119-43 of 18th September, and also to the Foreign Office.
12. From the tenour of the Wall’s letters to the Persian Consul in Basrah
(enclosures No. 1 and 2) it appears that he proposes to take forcible measures to
enforce compliance with his demands, which are of very questionable legality.
1 q Mr Crow has ascertained from His Majesty’s Embassy at Constantinople
that Persia claims the same rights in Turkey for her subjects, under^ Article 1 of
their Convention of 1875, as other Powers enjoy under the Capitulations, but this
claim is nor. admitted by Turkey. Further, that Turkey cannot legally demand
from the Persian Government the extradition of Turkish subjects accused on
criminal offences who take refuge in Persian territory. b nendly arrangements
for the extradition of criminals have, however, been in force for many years between
successive Sheikhs of Mohammerah and Walls of Basrah, and it is upon such
mutual arrangements that the Wali must rely.
14. Under instructions from Constantinople, Mr. ^ Crow has ^ already
commenced negotiations with the Wali with a view to arriving at a satisfactory
settlement. The decision quoted in the foregoing paragraph will be °f great
assistance to him, as it shows that the Wali has no legal right for his action.
Haji Rais, the Sheikh’s confidential agent, has also gone to Basrah to interview
Mr. Crow, and endeavour to find a basis for settlement that could be accepted by
both sides.
15. The Wali, by his precipitate action, has placed himself in the wrong, and
has so far made no serious allegations against the Sheikh, nor submitted any
proofs in respect of such allegations as he has made. The Sheikh is the
aggrieved party in the matter, and I sincerely trust that he will receive reasonable
satisfaction as an outcome of the negotiations.
16. Mr. Crow has been informed by His Majesty’s Ambassador at
Constantinople that there is no present intention of appointing a Turkish Consul
to Mohammerah, and no provision has been made for such a post in the Budget.
The proposal appears to have been put forward by the Wali about 2 months ago,
but shelved for the present by the Porte.
17. The greater part of the contents of this despatch and of its enclosures has,
no doubt, reached you telegraphically. I have, however, ventured to submit
translations of the original documents, together with a report on tfm situation,
in the hope that it may not be wholly without interest by the time it reaches
Tehran.
18. I have sent copies of this despatch 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, etc.,
A. T. WILSON, Lieut., I.A.,
t
Acting Consul for Arabistan,
(Enclosure No. 1.)
Translation.
Wali of Basrah to Persian Consul-Generaf Basrah, No, 17, dated Afrit
After compliments.—\\. is understood from successive enquiries that the
authors of the crimes which are always occurring in Basrah are people of
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