'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎72v] (149/386)

CHAPTER IV.
British relations with the Sheikh of Mohammerah ; his desire to be
PLACED UNDER BRITISH PROTECTION.
1. la November 1898 Sheikh Khazal expressed his desire to Mr. McDouall
to be placed under British protection. Colonel Meade visited the Sheikh
soon after and gathered from him that he was apprehensive of the early
downfall of the Persian monarchy followed by a general scramble for the
division of the Kingdom, in which event he was anxious to throw in his lot
with the British. In case the British did not receive him under their wing,
the Turks were likely to capture Mohammerah.
2. The late Sheikh Mizal, who was assassinated in 1897, was favourably
inclined towards the Turks and was moreover secretly opposed to the British
enterprise on the Karun, whereas the pro-British proclivities of Sheikh Khazal
were well known and he had done much to advance British interests. Colonel
Meade therefore thought that we ought to have a secret understanding with
the Sheikh. The Sheikh’s confidential Agent, Rais-ut-Tujar, wished also
to negotiate for a loan from the Imperial Bank. Colonel Meade sounded
the Bank’s Agent at Bushire, without, however, getting anything definite
from him.
3. Under Lord Curzon’s instructions a reply, dated the 24th February
1899 was sent to Colonel Meade—
Althongh the interests of Great Britain in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the south of Persia
are such as to render it unlikely that we shall admit there of the intrusion of any foreign
influence or intrigue, it is impossible to give any assurance of the kind asked for, seeing that
Mohammerah is a part of the Persian dominions.”
The question moreover was not one for the Government of India to deal
with and Colonel Meade was told to await the advice of Sir Mortimer Durand,
to w hom he had already written.
4. After consulting Sir Mortimer Durand, Colonel Meade told the Chief
that, as he was a Persian subject, the British Government could not promise to
support him against his owm Government, nor in the event of the break up of
the. Persian Government could we guarantee his independence or say what
would happen, as the Government of India had not decided upon any course
in such a contingency; but that, as the Sheikh was the most influential
Chief in that part of Persia, we wished to see him strong and the Arabs united
under bis authority ; and that he could rest assured of the support and advice
of the British Minister at Tehran so far as these could be given without bad.
faith towards the Persian Government. The British Government trusted
that in return the Sheikh would do all-in his power to advance our trade
interests. So matters stood until the introduction of the Belgian customs
administration in 1902.
5. U p to that year the Arab Sheikh of Mohammerah enjoyed practically
Introduction Of tho Belgian Customs complete local autonomy and the right
otticers into Mobammerah. to collect ins OW'n customs dues, hut
#v ., os has been mentioned,* shortly before
1900 the Persian Government, under the
influence of the new’ centralising tendencies at Tehran, revived the ambition of
reducing Sheikh Khazal to obedience, and, having neither the men nor the money
to conquer him by force of arms, they were inspired with the idea of effecting the
same object peacefully through the instrumentality of the Belgian Customs Ser
vice. Accordingly, in March 1902, we find the Russian Legation—having
already for over a year been making offers to reduce the Sheikh of Mohammerah
to subjection by force—addressing a protest to the Persian Government against
the irregularities existing in the collection of customs at Mohammerah, and de
manding, in the interests of uniformity and with a view to fair and equal treat
ment of importers of all nations, that a proper customs administration should be
established without further delay at that port. The Sheikh consented to send an.
envoy to Tehran to discuss a settlement, and the British Minister was consulted