'A Précis of the Relations of the British Government with the Tribes and Shaikhs of 'Arabistan By Lieutenant A T Wilson, Acting Consul for Arabistan' [‎30v] (65/143)

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CHAPTER VIII.
The Turko-Persian Frontier question as far as it affects ’Arabistan
FROM 1842 TO 1910, WITH A NOTE ON THE TURKO-PERSIAN FRONTIER OF
THE PUSHT-I-KUH DISTRICT.
The relations of the Ka’ab tribe with the Turkish Government and the
Ottoman pretensions to sovereignty over the Island of ’Abbadan, the Bah-
manshlr river and even over the tract of Qubban, have been referred to in
Chapter I of this compilation (1635—1800). The narrative will now be
resumed from the year 1842 when the Turko-Persian Frontier question was
raised for the first time as an international issue affecting both Russia and
Great Britain. * 1 In consequence of a series of frontier incidents and other
disputes extending over a period of ten years, relation between Turkey and
Persia became increasingly strained until finally in the summer of 1842 when
an unexpected attack was made by the Turkish authorities of Sulaimaniyeh
against the summer camp of the Wali of Ardilan, preparations were made
for war and a rupture appeared imminent.
When the attack on Ardilan became known the Persian Government
addressed communications to Sir Stratford Canning and to the Russian
Ambassador at Constantinople calling attention to the incident and request
ing their friendly intervention with the Porte.
The British and Russian Representatives at Constantinople had antici
pated the instructions of their Governments by counselling moderation but
for a considerable time the prospects of peace were not hopeful and troops
continued to be massed on both sides of the frontier.
The Ottoman Government were at first indisposed to admit foreign
interference but it was eventually agreed that there should be a simultaneous
withdrawal of troops, and British and Russian Agents were sent to each
camp to hasten this.
After much discussion it was agreed that Joint Commission of the
Plenipotentiaries ^ of the two Mussalman Powers should, in concert with
British and Russian Delegates, be convened at Erzeroum to investigate and
if possible to compromise the rival claims.
It vras also understood though not formally embodied in a written agree
ment that the status quo in the meanwhile should be preserved on the frontier.
Ihis is frequently referred to in the correspondence as the “ status quo ” of
The principal of the ‘‘ status quo ” was formally confirmed and placed
on record in a temporary agreement concluded in 1869 which is stfill theoreti
cally in force. 2
The first conference of the Commission was in 1843. The British Com
missioner was Colonel Williams who afterwards rose to distinction as the
defender of Kars. 3
Among the most formidable obstacles to a settlement was the claim on
the side of the Porte to the town of Mohammerah which the Persians sup
ported by Russia, stoutly resisted. ’
It is needless to revert in detail to the discussions in which the Joint Com-
mission became engaged. After four years’ negotiation their labours were
crowned by the signature of the Preliminary Treaty of Erzeroum 4 1847. But
the settlement was only in semblance as, before consenting to the conclusion
even of the Preliminary Treaty, the Porte required that assurances should be
Turko 1 ?^^^ 11011 ° f t ^ 8 C1 i apt l r Mr ; Alwyn Parker ’ 8 Memorandum of 8th December 1906 on the
SeptemWlSo dar7q ° n haSbeen frCelj UtiUsed aS Wel1 88 his ^sequent Memorandum of 15th
I Yi de Ait , ch i'; on,s Treaties, Vol XII, 4th Edition, Ann. 19.
Afterwards Major-General Sir William Fenwick Williams of Kars, R A K C B
Vide Aitchison s Treaties, Vol. 12, 4th Edition, App. 18.