File 1356/1912 Pt 1 'Turco-Persian Frontier:- negotiations at Constantinople.' [‎117r] (243/885)

£
15
FOREIGN SECRET TELEGRAMS.
Secret Department.
From 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. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , 23rd May 1912.
Apart from question of jurisdiction over waters of Shat-el-Arab, which
has been dealt with separately, following are salient points of mv letter,
INo. M 85, despatched to Government of India and London on 21st May,
regarding . urco-Persian frontier, in reply to Mr. Parker’s memorandum of
ord April.
Firstly Independence of Kaab. Statement at page 8 of Wilson’s precis
shows kaab to have been under Persia in 1620, that is prior to date of Sultan
Murad s treaty. Moreover, available evidence tends to show that they never
were really Turkish subjects.
Secondly. Ownership of the lands between the locally recognised frontier
and Mohammeiah. Local lurkish authorities have accorded unequivocal
and repeated recognition of present boundary by erection of marks and
maintenance for many years of permanent frontier Customs post at Diarji;
such action should make it impossible for them after a lapse of 60 years
to claim another frontier to which their pretensions are at least doubtful It
is hardly likely that they would get support from Hague Tribunal.
Thirdly. -Status in Turkey of Sheikh and his tribesmen. Foreign Office
seem to be unduly apprehensive in this regard. Provisions of Treaty of
Erzeroimi appear to refer to nomad tribes only and not to settled agri
culturists like these. They represent bulk of very large agricultural com
munity and, as Tuiks have no surplus population wherewith to replace them
it seems extremely unlikely that they will attempt to oust them, even if they
were m a military position to do so, which is very doubtful. Problem has
not caused much practical difficulty hitherto and will probably adjust itself
if left to the local authorities. Sheikh of Mohammerah at all events will
adopt a reasonable attitude in his own interests.
/’ ourthly. Bonndary near Havize. From last paragraph of decision of
mediating Commissioners, quoted at page 49 of Wilson’s 'precis, it is plain
that they neither visited Havize, nor delimited any boundary on the spot in
that locality ; nor intended that their rough diagram should serve as a basis
for demarcation. Again local boundary described in my Despatch M. 18,
dated 6 th May, pioves to be practically identical with that proposed by
Rawlinson at pages 17 and 18 of his memorandum of 6 th January 1844
just received. Layard also suggested line west of Havize, vide pages 8
and 53 of the Foreign Office memorandum. Undisturbed possession of
Havize district is of the most vital importance to Sheikh of Mohammerah,
and it is inconceivable that we should tolerate any alteration of status quo in
it, especially when Rawlinson stated categorically in 1844 that it was not in
dispute.
Fifthly. Policy of Sheikh of Mohammerah in purchasing land in Turkey.
It is a misapprehension to suppose that he is seeking territorial encroachment
Such a contingency does not arise, for in regard to these lands Sheikh like
any other foreign landholder, is in position of a Turkish subject, and is
amenable to Turkish land laws.
Sixthly. I have urged that we inform Turks that having been close
observers of the status quo as interpreted locally on the Shat-el-Arab and in
Ai abistan for the last 60 years, we have reasonably ('Lgunrmito&dd its
permanency, and have entered into engagements with Sheikh from which we
cannot recede and which pledge us to maintain it. This intimation will be
no surprise to them, having regard to intimation made to Basrah authorities
by Consul at Basrah referred to at page 61 of Wilson’s precis.
Seventhly.—] have suggested that in exchange for satisfactory settlement
of boundary question as regards Arabistan, without recourse to Ha^ue