Turkish Arabia Affairs [‎641r] (7/20)

smalf robbel- Tibe? ^ a ^ ulik Khan of Zokab, has given refuge to two
small icibei tubes of Ottoman subjects, who formerly occupied a position
between Khamkeen and Kuzilrabat, called the BeniWand the El-Mujjuma
. Thes ® two trib f > th e former of which is said to have comprised fiftv or
sixty families and the latter twenty or twenty-five, having long had a verv bad
character as notorious robbers, Midhut Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. took advantage of his toumev to
the frontier with the Shah to institute an enquiry into this reputation a^d
to BagMad ^ CaUSed the Sheikhs t0 be -reste/and braugM
Here they undertook to bring down their tribes to settle on land near the
Tigris, a spot being assigned to tbem for the purpose, and on this undertaking
they were released and returned to their people. °
But instead of acting as promised, they at once recommenced their habits
of robbeiy and moved bodily into Persia, where, Midhut Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. complains, thev
obtain protection of some sort. ^
T\ hile thus the bad characters of the frontier are encouraged in their evil
practices, despite of His Excellency’s endeavours to rid the neighbourhood of
them and convert them into peaceful and well-employed subjects, the Persian
authoiities, under whose protection they live, complain of their subjects bein 0 *
robbed and plundered by these very people. a
# O n other side the Persian authorities complain that they cannot obtain
a fail heaiing of any complaints they present to the Eocal Government, and
that they are answered by reference to the Hamawands, and such like.
In all my conversations both with His Excellency and with the Persian
Consul-General, I urge on both parties patience, conciliation, and mutual
accommodation.
Mirza Ishak Khan, Persian Consul-General, who arrived here on 6th
ultimo, is a man of pleasant-taking manner and seems personally very desirous
of establishing and sustaining friendly relations both officially and personally.
He has sought several occasions to converse with me on his difficulties,
begging me to assure Midhut Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of his earnest desire to forward, so far as it
lies in his power, the true interests of both countries and so to act, so far as is
consistent with his duty, as to win his regard.
I have, therefore, an opportunity to exert myself to bring about a better
feeling on the spot, and my best exertions are and will be directed to that end,
but it can be only between the ministers of the two Governments that the
actual causes of the difficulties can be removed, and, unless something effectual
be done with this view, I am apprehensive that complications will arise
which may produce serious consequences.
I may add that the very favorable reception which has been recently
accorded by His Imperial Majesty the Sultan to Mirza Abbas Khan, Kaib-oos-
Sultanah, brother of His Majesty the Shah, is ascribed here by all parties to
a feeling of hostility to the present Government at Teheran, and it is thought
that it will be so considered at that capital.
4.
No. 44, dated Baghdad, the 30th August 1871.
F rom Lieut.-Colonel C. Herbert, Consul-General at Baghdad.
r fo Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople.
In continuation of my despatch No. 35, dated 1st instant, I have the
honor to report that but little news on which reliance can be placed reaches
this at present from Nejd.
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