File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎123v] (251/566)

of the gunboat’s action and, (at he informed me), told the W all that his impetu*
ous action was ill calculated to secure the results ostensibly desired, and that he
would have done welhto consult His Majesty s Consul before taking action.
The Wali shortly afterwards left for Baghdad where he was to meet Nazim
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , under whose general control he now is. He received an exceptionally
cordial and distinguished reception.
The Sheikh meanwhile, at Ahwaz, telegraphed for advice to me as to whether
he should return to Mohammerah at once or not. I replied that he ^ should not
return at present as his precipitate arrival on the scene would certainly create a
lively anticipation of reprisals, the expectation of which might induce the Wall to
pursue his hostile policy still further. My fears were confirmed by the Wahs
letters about this time (2bth April) to the Persian Consul-General at Basrah, in
which he threatened to attack Mohammerah.
As the Sheikh is guaranteed by us against unprovoked attack by sea, he at
once, on learning of this letter, telegraphed to Mirza Hamza to beg me to tele,
graph to Bushire asking that we would support him in accordance with our pro
mises by sending a gunboat to Mohammerah to protect him from attack by sea,
and to show the Turks that we could not tolerate any such action. Trus sug
gestion was negatived by His Majesty’s Charge d Affaires, Tehran, and luckily
the Wali did not carry out his threats.
The Sheikh feels acutely our refusal to send a gunboat, in spite of the fact
that an attack on Mohammerah was officially threatened by the Wali unless
Muhammad Chanan was surrendered. The refusal has^detracted from the value
in his eyes of our assurances, since, on the only occasion when we have peen
asked to render him prompt support, we have withheld it for fear of giving
umbrage to the Turks
On 5th May, Haji Rais, the Sheikh’s righthand man, who had been sent
down by the Sheikh with instructions to consult me as to the advisability of
proceeding to Basrah to interview the Wali, arrived from Nasiri With my con
currence he wert on to Basrah, though in a state of considerable trepidation for
his personal safetv. The Wali had by this time left for Baghdad and Haji Rais
accordingly visited the Acting Wall and by his intermediation effected atemporary
settlement'with the W'ali, the Acting Wali giving him a letter to the Sheikh, offer
ing to resume amicable relations on certain conditions. The letter contained
much that was objectionable to the Sheikh, threats and unjustified^ allegations
being freely intermingled with polite phrases. But Haji Rais, in the weak
position in which he was, having clearly understood from Mr. Crow that His
Majesty’s Consul had no authority to press the W^ali to descend from the position
which he had taken up, felt bound to accept it as assuring a temporary cessation
of hostilities. He was, moreover, plainly informed (he told me) by Mr. Crow
that his orders “ to promote an amicable settlement ” did not, in his opinion,
justify any attempt to put active pressure on the Wali. I agreed with Haji Rais
that this" being the case the settlement was the best ad interim arrangement
procurable, pending a decision by His Majesty’s Government on the general
question, audit was represented to and regarded by the Sheikh in this light.
Further negotiations were then delayed for a fortnight pending the return of
the Sheikh from Ahwaz, where he was occupied in reconciling the Arab tribes
near Dizful to each other, with a view to preventing disturbances there.
On the 24th May he returned from Ahwaz, and I at once communicated to
him Foreign Office Telegram No. 137, (received May 14th), stating that serious
representations had been made in Constantinople, and that a gunboat would be
held in readiness in case it should be required for the protection of Mohammerah
territcry. This announcement did a good deal to improve the sheikh’s state of
mind and gave him reason to hope that the eventual settlement provided would
have adequate regard for his rights and prestige as w'ell as for those of Turkey.
The Sheikh consulted me as to the tenour of the reply which he should send
to the Wali in answ'er to the Acting Wall’s letter of 1 ith May. I outlined a reply
which seemed to be suitable, and he concurred with me unreservedly. 1 _ then
submitted the outlines of the proposed reply for the approval of the Resident.
I also sent a copy to Mr. Crow who, in reply, informed me that, with a few minor
alterations, he considered the reply unobjectionable.