File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [279r] (562/566)
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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Mr. Marling to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received May 1, 12’30 p.m.)
Tehran, May 1, 1910, 2*30 p.m.
(No. 206.)
MOHAMMERAH.
Cox reports, on information of His Majesty’s consul at Mohammerah, that on
25th April Turkish gun-boat shelled and burnt Zain village, belonging to Sheikh of
Mohammerah, on Turkish bank of Shat-el-Arab, pretext being that the headman hod
resisted arrest by Turkish soldiers on the ground of being Persian subject. Headman
is one of tribal sheikhs who endorsed Sheikh of Mohammerah’s agreement with oil
company.
In spite of local excitement, Sheikh of Mohammerah, who was at Ahwaz, sent
orders to his deputy to maintain calm attitude.
Turks appear not to contemplate further action unless Sheikh of Mohammerah
gives cause, in which case they might move against Failia or sheikh’s property at
Bussorah. Failia is the sheikh’s ordinary residence, and, although west of the frontier
line laid down by demarcation commission, is east of the locally recognised frontier.
Cox understands that His Majesty’s consul at Bussorah is urging Sir G. Lowther
that the Turks should be encouraged to carry question through by arbitr ary action.
I entirely concur with Cox in very strongly deprecating this course, as it would
make us appear to be supporting the Turks against Mohammerah, and would revive
question of Turco-Persian frontier on Shat-el-Arab, which has been quiescent for so
long. It might also involve question of precise application of assurances against naval
attack given by Sir A. Hardinge to sheikh in 1902. X Present moment could scarcely be
more inopportune.
I would urge that the consuls at Mohammerah and Bussorah should attempt to
promote amicable solution locally.
^ ''V
About this item
- 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 View the complete information for this record
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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.' [279r] (562/566), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/133, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030525715.0x0000a3> [accessed 24 August 2026]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/133
- Title
- File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:280v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence
![File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎279r] (562/566) File 345/1908 Pt 2 'Mohammerah: situation. Sheikh's dispute with the Vali of Basra. decoration for Sheikh. renewed assurances to Sheikh.' [‎279r] (562/566)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x00001a/IOR_L_PS_10_133_0562.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg)