'BRITISH RELATIONS WITH KHAZAL, SHEIKH OF MOHAMMERAH.' [‎6r] (11/24)

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of the troops, if accompanied by adequate assurances, was less dangerous than
opposition) also requested the Prime Minister to confirm on behalf of his Govern
ment the special position of the Sheikh as granted by his firmans. Lord Curzon,
while agreeing that the general result of this interview was satisfactory, wished
that Reza Khan's written undertaking to the Sheikh should be countersigned
by the Prime Minister, or, alternatively, that the latter should sign a similar
document.
32. The Sheikh, himself, on being informed of the proposals, was tar trom
happy, saying that he put no faith in Persian promises, oral or written, and
that he would withdraw his objections only if the written assurance of Reza Khan
were backed by a written guarantee from His Majesty’s Minister that the number
of Persian troops would be limited to 200 and not increased after their arrival
and that they would not interfere with his recognised rights and jurisdiction.
Sir P. Loraine thereupon instructed His Majesty’s Consul at Ahwaz to explain
to the Sheikh that he could not give such assurances, that the Sheikh should
be satisfied with those given in 1914 and realise that the best guarantee of all
for him was the restoration of friendly relations between 1 ersia and Great
Britain and that the British Foreign Secretary considered that the assurances
offered by Reza Khan were satisfactory if endorsed by the Persian Prime
Minister. To this message the Sheikh replied that, if bir P. Loraine were
satisfied as to the bona fides of the Minister of War and felt that wider political
considerations so demanded, he was prepared to give way; but if later on events
turned out as he (the Sheikh) anticipated, he would look confidently to His
Majesty’s Government to redeem the pledge given to him in 1914 and to support
him against Persian Government encroachments.
33. Some delay, partly due to the change in government, occurred before
the Persian Government sent any assurances to the Sheikh, and in the mean
while detachments of troops had been sent to Shushtar and Bebehan. On the
7th October Reza Khan addressed a letter to Sir P. Loraine stating that these
troops had been sent with the principal object of maintaining peace and security
and that the local tribes would be supported so long as they fulfilled their duties
and obligations to the central Government. The letter went on to say :—
“Especially in connexion with the loyal services of his Excellency
Serdar Akdass (Sheikh of Mohammerah) and the appreciation of the
Ministry of War which his Excellency will, no doubt, win for himself in the
course of his services, with the resultHhat his Excellency may have complete
faith and confidence in the friendly attitude and justice of the Government.
In order to leave his Excellency no'gr oim<is for anxiety, the first instructions
given to the officer commanding the departing troops were to be on his guard
to prevent people who have local quarrels with his Excellency from abusing
the arrival of the troops and turning it to their own evil advantage.'’
On the same day, the Persian Prime Minister addressed a tolegram to the
Sheikh in the following terms
“Although your Excellency’s services have always attracted attention
of Government which has full confidence in you, nevertheless now in order
that you may be aware of intentions of Government I hereby declare that
Council of Ministers appreciate always your Excellency’s services. As long
as your Excellency endeavours to render services to Government latter will
have full confidence in you and will never forget your Excellency’s services.’'
The only comment in the Foreign Office on learning of these two messages
was that they were both capable of various interpretations but that they were
better than nothing! .
34. Sir P. Loraine now sought to effect a genuine rapprochement between
Reza Khan and the Sheikh and to endeavour to allay the latter’s fears. He
decided to visit the Sheikh and before his departure spoke to Reza Khan, who
said that His Majesty’s Minister could give the Sheikh the most positive
assurances of his friendship and regard and of his anxiety to establish a personal
understanding with him. , ^ ^ t
35. Sir P. Loraine visited Ahwaz on the 13th October and had a conversa
tion with the Sheikh, who expressed his anxieties as to his future position and
begged that he should not be lulled into a false sense of security only to be struck
down when all the obstacles to the Persian unifying policy had been removed;
he could not remain in Arabistan with his prestige diminished and his authority
undermined, and would sooner lease or sell his properties and retire to some
part of the world where he could be under British protection. Sir P. Loraine, in
reply, analysed current British policy in Persia, according to which it was
[32557] c ^
E 6019/1416/
34/1923.
E 6156/1416/
34/1923.
E11560/1416/
34/1923.
E10269/1416/
34/1923.
E11731/1416/
34/1923.
E11731/1416/
34/1923.