File 2764/1904 Pt 4 'Baghdad Railway: Anglo-Turkish negotiations; proposals of Turkish Govt; status of Kowait' [‎20v] (45/674)

fear is expressed that if this hope is not realised, and the case goes to The Hague
Tribunal, the result might be even to give to Turkey the line claimed by Dervish
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. in 1850. Lord Crewe, as at present advised, sees no grounds for such an
apprehension. That line was not accepted by the mediating commissioners, and his
Lordship imagines that the evidence upon which they rejected it would weigh equally ^
with The Hague Tribunal. Moreover, it is clear that the Turks do not greatly trust*
their own evidence, since otherwise they would not contemplate giving the line away
in negotiation. It would seem to his Lordship to be more probable that The Hague
Tribunal would fix a line approximating to that of the mediating commissioners ; and
if the alternatives are to allow the consolidation of Turkish authority in El Katr or to
deprive the Sheikh of Mohammerah of the district between the mediating commissioners’
line and the frontier as locally observed, he would choose the latter as the lesser evil.
In conclusion, I am to enquire whether Sir E. Grey is satisfied that it is impossible
to reserve the rights of Mohammerah as regards any reference to The Hague Tribunal.
It does not appear that there has been any material alteration in the status quo between
Howeizah and the Shatt-el-Arab since the Treaty of Erzeroum. In other words, there
is no case in that region for arbitration, and the situation therefore differs entirely
from that on the northern section, where it is precisely the vital nature of the
alterations made in recent years that is the cause of the whole difficulty. This
essential difference might perhaps be held to justify Persia in informing the Turkish
Government (and His Majesty’s Government in supporting her, should necessity arise)
that, while there would be no objection to minor rectifications by The Hague Tribunal
of the frontier locally recognised as compared with the mediating commissioners’ line,
no award substantially modifying it will be accepted.
Copy of a telegram addressed to the Government of India is enclosed ; their reply,
with any further observations that may be necessary, will be communicated to you in
due course.
' - I am, &c.
LIONEL ABRAHAMS.
Enclosure in No. 1.
The Marquess of Crewe to Government of India.
(Secret.)
(Telegraphic.) 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. , May 20, 1912.
MOHAMMERAH. Foreign Office fear that reference of Turco-Persmn frontier
to Hague Tribunal might result in loss of a considerable slice of sheikh’s territory,
since Turks are reviving Dervish Pasha’s extravagant claims. Ihey therefore propose
to avoid Hague by including Mohammerah in Gulf negotiations and offering Turks
consolidation in El Katr in return for locally recognised frontier of Mohammerah. I
am inclined to think fears of Hague award rather exaggerated, and that loss to sheikh,
if limited to territory west of mediating commissioners’ line, is lesser evil than
consolidation of Turks in El Katr. I know your views on latter subject, but should be
glad to have your remarks as soon as possible on the above considerations.