'Egyptian Claims to Sovereignty over the Somali Coast.' [‎front] (1/62)

Egyptian Claims to Sovereignty over the
Somali Coast.
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The correspondence on this subject which is now in progress may be
taken as having commenced with a Letter from the Government of
India, No. 104, dated the 10th June 1870, reporting events which had
lately occurred at Berbera.
The proceedings of the Egyptian Government, in sending a vessel of
war to cruise off Berbera during the season, had led the Resident at
Aden to suspect that the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. was endeavouring to occupy that and
adjoining places on the African coast in the Sultan’s name, and to fear
that the Somalis might yield to the influence which was being brought
to bear on them, to the sacrifice of their own independence and to the
detriment of Aden, which was dependent on Berbera for its supply of
live stock. On the 8th March 1870, the Resident sent the “ Sind ” to
Berbera to watch the progress of affairs. On board was one Subehdar
Mahomed, who had for 20 years been employed in dealing with the
Somalis of Berbera and Bulbar. This person landed with his party, his
object being by friendly representations to prevent, if possible, the tribes
from subjecting their country to Mahometan rule. But the Somalis,
either really mistrusting his intentions, or incited by the Egyptians,
attacked him, and in the encounter which ensued one Somali was killed,
and several persons on either side were seriously wounded. Towards the
end of March, Her Majesty’s ship “ Teazer,” visited Berbera. Captain
Blomfield found the Egyptian corvette “ Khartoum ” in the port, and
the Egyptian colours flying on the fort which commanded the town.
To the latter circumstance the Somalis attached no importance, and
they showed no signs of surrendering their independence. The Egyptian
Commodore declared that the flag was not flying by his authority,
though its existence there did not surprise him, “ as the country had
formerly belonged to Turkey.” He was not empowered to purchase
Berbera or take possession of it, but was merely there to look after
Egyptian interests.
The Resident next wrote to Mahomed Jemali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who was on
board the “Khartoum,” to inquire what were the intentions of the
Sultan in regard to Berbera. In his answer the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who signed
himself “ Commander of the Elect in the Red Sea,” distinctly asserted
that the country belonged to the Sublime Porte, and, in support of his
statement, cited the fact of the Turkish flag flying over the fort.
Hence, he argued, there was no necessity for the Turks to take the
country. He himself had merely repaired to the spot to settle quarrels
amongst the Somalis.
Lord Mayo’s Government, in forwarding the papers relating to these
* t -o v.- , xr j j transactions,* expressed an opinion that
* * India Political, No. 104, dated i. iv i_ \ r xi m i • i ^
10th June 1870. establishment ot the Turkish rule
over Berbera would be injurious to the
interests of Aden. They therefore urged upon the Duke of Argyll the
propriety of remonstrating against the proceedings of the Turkish or
Egyptian officials, and the necessity for taking such steps as might seem
most suitable to secure the independence of the Somali territory. They
concluded:—“ Whatever the intentions of the Turkish or Egyptian
“ Government may be, we are aware of no adequate ground on which it
“ can claim the Somali territory as part of its dominions. We have had
“ relations with the Somalis as an independent tribe since 1827, in which
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