'Sheikh Said. Memorandum in Continuation of Departmental Memorandum of 7th March 1893. (With Sketch Map.)' [‎10r] (9/10)

Extract. Speech delivered at Southport by
the Right Honourable G. N. Curzon, M.P.,
Under Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs (See “ Times ” oth April 1897).
“ The integrity of the Ottoman Empire
may be viewed as part of international law.
It is an article in the code of Europe; it
has been created and consecrated in decrees
and treaties by the European Powers, and
has been equally modified by them. It was
contained and enshrined in the Treaty of
Paris in 1856 ; it was also contained, but it
was substantially modified, in the Treaty of
Berlin in 1878 ; and it will be modified over
and over again in the future, and there .is
probably no one in this hall who does not
look with satisfaction to the prospective
modification. (Hear, hear.) But there is a
point to which I am coming—it is, that it is
Europe that has created and consecrated that
formula; it is Europe alone that can modify
it. (Cheers.) What that integrity means is
this —that the distribution of the Ottoman
Empire as piece by piece it breaks up must
be undertaken by Europe, and that it must
not be in the power of any individual State to
snatch what it thinks should be its share of
the spoils.”
t
claims of French concessionaires are being revived.
A Turkish garrison, it is believed, continues in
occupation.
The Great Powers now engaged in dealing with
Turkish affairs are understood to make the main
tenance of the integrity of the Ottoman State the
basis of their concerted action, and this resolution
as long as it is adhered to will be a safeguard
against any forcible seizure of Turkish territory.
Still there are indications that another Power
is seeking a coaling station on the shores of the
Ked Sea. A Russian gunboat landed a detachment
at Raheita on the African shore on November
1896, and, though it has since been withdrawn, its
proceedings gave some colour to the rumour that
Russia was in search of a foothold on the shores of
the Red Sea.
If the Turks from any cause whatever withdraw
from Sheikh Said, the Russian Government, either
by agreement with France or with the so-called
concessionaires, might succeed in establishing a
coal dep6t on this eastern shore of the Red Sea,
or it may come to terms with the local Sheikh. It
is merely a question of dollars. Such has been the
history of the acquisition of Assab Bay by the
Italians and of Obock by the French.
Any further movements in this portion of the
Red Sea littoral, whether by France or Russia,
should be carefully watched by the British autho
rities at Aden and at Perim.
E. N.
Political and Secret Department,
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. ,
9th April 1897.