ملف رقم ٣٤٥ لسنة ١٩٠٨ الجزء الثاني "المحمرة: الوضع. نزاع الشيخ مع والي البصرة. تقليد الشيخ وساماً. تجديد التطمينات للشيخ". [ظ‎‎٢‎٠‎٤] (٥٦٦/٤١٣)

the sheikh. The third-named is brother of another headman, and has always lived
and had business exclusively on Persian soil. All three are, in my opinion, Persian
subjects.
Failing to get possession of these men, they yesterday imprisoned M’atuk-bin-
Nafta, brother of Barak, and his son, who are also, I believe, indisputably Persian
subjects.
I will defer for the present troubling you with an expression of view as to the
political or legal aspect of the case. All I would remark is that the vali’s action seems
to me to be unjustifiable and high-handed, and not calculated to further the peace of
the district, unless he is prepared to reinforce his present armaments.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Bushire.
Yours sincerely,
A. T. WILSON.
Enclosure 6 in No. 1.
Acting Consul Wilson to Consul-General Cox.
(No. 404.)
(Telegraphic.) P. Mohammerah, April 25, 1910.
SHEIKH and vali of Bussorah.
Turkish gun-boat “ Marmaris ” to-day shelled and burnt village of Muhammad
Chanan, opposite Mohammerah, in Turkish territory, the property of Sheikh of
Mohammerah. Damage done about 600L
Yali of Bussorah did this, I am told, under orders from Constantinople, as a
punishment to the owner of the village, who is head of one of the largest tribes of the
sheikh, because he refused to allow himself to be arrested by the vali’s men, being a
Persian subject, according to his own statement, which is, I believe, correct under
international law, and in any case, as head of Persian tribe, he has always been
recognised as such.
No definite proof of misdoing has been adduced against him by vali, who acted on
hearsay, and would not allow Sardar Arfa to intervene.
Moreover, gun-boat has captured and imprisoned an important leader of sheikh’s
tribes for no known reason, and man is undoubtedly a Persian. Sheikh now in Ahwaz,
but will, I expect, come back. I have not left Mohammerah. Incident has caused
great excitement, and reprisals are probable. I have begged local authorities to keep
quiet. I am going to Bussorah this evening to see His Majesty’s consul at that port.
Full details by mail.
Telephone message posted the 27th April, 1910, to Wilson:—
“Pour telegram No. 404 received. I await result of your consultation with
Crow.—Cox.”
Enclosure 7 in No. 1.
Acting Consul \] ilson to Consul-General Cox.
(No. 405.)
(Telegraphic.) P. Mohammerah, April 25, WIO.
MY telegram No. 404.
Sheikh has wired to Mirza Hamza, his Bussorah agent now in charge of
Mohammerah, telling him that he is to act strictly in accordance with whatever advice
I give him, and also asked if it was desirable for him to leave Nasiri or not.
I have advised the sheikh not to leave Ahwaz for the present, as his hasty arrival
will cause comment and show that he is afraid of the actions of the vali.
As regards settlement between the sheikh and the vali, I have advised the sheikh s
agent to go to Bussorah shortly and interview the vali. /To say that the whole
question of the vali’s action in burning the village turns on whether Muhammad
Chanan is a Persian or a Turkish subject. If the former, the vali is not justified; if
the latter, he is.
He should suggest that the question of the nationality of Muhammad Chanan
should be referred to some impartial and skilled person such as His Majesty’s consul at
Bussorah, so as to obtain an independent verdict.