File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎175r] (354/566)

here and an intimate friend of Sheikh Khazal, and is well aware of the difficulties the
Turks have had in past years with Mohammerah. No man in Bussorah knows the
position better, and, when friendly meetings between Arab sheikhs and Turkish vali’s
occur, they are generally held at his house (please see my despatch No. 14 of the
v-me 9th March last to the embassy, to which the resident at Bushire recently referred
m in his telegrams).
I have, &c.
J. E. CROW.
June 10, 1910. P.S. Since writing the above I have received a copy of the vali’s
private letter to the Sheikh, and enclose a translation of it. In forwarding the letter
to me Mr. \Y ilson states that the sheikh attaches no importance to the expression of
regret, and does not want it now.
F. E. C.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sheikh of Mohammerah to the Vali of Bussorah.
(Iranslation.)
(After compliments.) Jemadi Evvel 25, 1328.
on i ai 0 !? the Karun 1 rec eived the letter of your representative, Saad Bey, of
oO Kebi-ul-Akhir, 1328, and became aware of all that was written therein about the
allair which occurred at Kut-el-Zein, caused by Mohd Chenan’s threatening the
labour Agassi and the gendarmes which you sent to arrest him, and I am very much
surprised at this explanation, for, when the Tabour Agassi came to me with Mohd
Chenan at Failieh, he showed no vexation and nothing was mentioned bv him about
such proceedings. _ But, as the steps of friendship are firmly established, I do not wish
to prolong discussion on this subject; if I did so there is no doubt that I should be
iound quite in the right, and I am convinced your Excellency’s conscience would
confirm this for what happened at Kut-el-Zein is not hidden from you. It is no secret
that the said Mohd Chenan is a chief of the Muhaisin tribe and a Persian subject and
that he is my agent there for the cultivation of my property. As notified by your
representative, Saad Bey, I have removed him and will appoint another agent.
As regards those who dared to kill Chelmecan, from the first day this news reached
me 1 gave necessary and repeated orders to search for and arrest them, but up to the
present 1 have not found any of them, and they are not people of this district. If they
see them or if any one of them is found on this side I will undoubtedly arrest him and
hasten to send him.
As regai ds the affair at Menawee, when you mentioned it to me verbally I ordered
search to be made for them, and the day before I left for the Karun I succeeded in
catching three of them, but, as I was busy with my journey, I could not inform you
and after my return I succeeded in catching one more, and asked the acting vali to
. an °™ cia l 1° ta k e them and conduct them to the head-quarters of the vilayet. An
official was sent to me with a reply and he took them.
^ You mentioned several matters of detail for me to undertake. As I am a Persian
subject and hereditary frontier official of that Government, and a treaty exists between
the two Islamic Powers regarding the extradition of criminals, of which your Excellency
is doubtless aware, you and I cannot infringe this treaty, but, in view of the friendshin
and agreement existing between us as neighbours, there has not been in the past and
there will not be m the future any slackness in the necessary help or mutual assistance
m all matters relating to the prevention of crime and the establishment of security in
all districts, and up to to-day no infraction of the law has been committed by my
tribes on Turkish territory, and I have exerted myself, and will exert myself as
far as I can, to preserve peace and tranquillity such as we now enjoy until the last
day. This is my bounden duty. If you wish to conclude a personal agreement
between us with regard to the treaty I am ready to do so. 6
I avail, &c.
SHEIKH KHAZAL.