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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.' [‎253r] (510/566)

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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[This Documeht is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government. 1
^ 5 ^ ^
[February 17.]
Section 5.
[5618]
No. 1.
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. to Foreign Office.—(Received February 17.)
Sir, 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. , February 16, 1910.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India to say that he has given his
careful attention to your letter No. 1006 of the 31st January, on the subject of the
further assurances which the Sheikh of Mohammerah desires to receive from His Majesty’s
Government, and I am to offer the following remarks upon the proposals made by
Secretary Sir E. Grey : —
1. As regards the extension of the present assurances to the sheikh’s male
descendants, I am to say that the proviso that they are only to hold good so long as his
male descendants not only fulfil their obligations to His Majesty’s and the Persian
Governments, but also are acceptable to the tribesmen, removes the objection which
Viscount Morley would have felt to giving an unqualified dynastic pledge, and he
approves the proposal accordingly.
2. On the point of the time limit, he is inclined to doubt the wisdom of departing
from the present indefinite assurance, in view of the uncertainty of the future in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; and he is confirmed in his doubt by the consideration urged in
paragraph 15 of your letter read with head 2 of Major Cox’s memorandum, which
explains the origin of the sheikh’s desire. He would accordingly suggest that this
concession should be kept in reserve for the present.
3. Lord Morley is willing to submit the sheikh’s name to the King for the grant
of an honorary K.C.I.E. on a suitable occasion, as to which Sir E. Grey will doubtless
advise him.
4. On the question of protecting the sheikh against foreign aggression, his lordship
observes that, though the extension of the assurance from naval defence^ to defence by
land introduces no new principle, it is undoubtedly open to serious practical objections ;
and he shares Sir E. Grey’s desire that His Majesty’s Government should not bind
themselves to forcible intervention. He would suggest that the language of our agree
ment with the Ameer might conveniently be followed, and that the assurance should
run : “ His Majesty’s Government will be prepared to aid you to such extent and in
such manner as may appear to them desirable in the event of an unprovoked attack by
a foreign Power or encroachment,” &c. In the longer form of assurance intended for the
sheikh’s personal satisfaction, as well as in that to be shown to the tribesmen, it should
be made very plain that this guarantee is conditional upon his being guided by our
advice and maintaining an attitude satisfactory to us.
5. The other proposals seem to Lord Morley to be suitable ; but he would be glad
if he might be allowed to see the draft assurances in their final form be foie instructions
are sent to Sir George Barclay.
I am, &c.
R RITCHIE.
[2629 r—5]

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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.' [‎253r] (510/566), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/133, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030525715.0x00006f> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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