Page 223 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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Grand Vizier. M. Pisani, in alottorto the Ambassador of the 11th May, wrote
that on receipt of this communication
."His Highness stated that the Sultan being recognized by the whole Mnliamedan popu-
ntion ns tho only Khulif, as such lie cannot allow the turbulent Sheikhs to become masters of
the keys of tho holy cities of Mecca and Medina without prejudice to his dignity and
to the prestige of tho Khalifat, and without losing his paramount anthoiity over all the
Mussulmans
“ Aali Pnsha declared again that the Porte entertains no intontion nor harbours any
design over the independent tribes, but at tho same time it cannot permit the Sheikhs to
deal with tbeir possessions as they please, aud quoted the instanco of Sheikh Saevd, who
disposed of the port bearing bis name in favor of a I'rcnch Company for the purposo of get­
ting a few thousand dollars, and thus placed tho Porte in an awkward dilemma.
“ Ilis Highness contends that the information of Colonel Herbert that AbdoolaU is an
independent Sovereign is erroneous'and states that it can be easily proved by the date of
the Sultan's ordinance and the firman by which he holds lus appointment of Knimukam that
lie was named about eight-years ago. it was not Midhut Pasha who offered to assist Abdool-
lah, but it is the latter who solicited the aid of the Porte.
“ Tho Alg^rin-s, he went cn to 6ay, have not only the apparent desire to shake off the
yoke of their present lluler, but loudly proclaim their earnest wish to return to their former
allegiance, though no n .tice is taken of their demand.
" Russia has, and still continues to subjugate provinces in Turkistnn without anv alleged
motive, and her troops are fa?t advancing towards tho Indian frontier, and not a word is uttered
or any step taken t» prevent their progress, which sooner or later, said His Highness, will
give serious anxieties to tho British Government.
M Finally, Aali P.isha observed, rather in an angry tone, that in his humble opinion it
does not behove a great power like England to avail itself of the pr tended weakness of the
Porte to endeavour to countenance the Arabs and interfere in tlid internal allairs of Turkey,
and which affairs are of vital importance to her. Ho repeated again that it may be reckoned
upon that not the slightest idea is entertained of making new conquests or subduing inde­
pendent tribes. The Porte’s sole desire is to restore peace and tranquillity in its dominions ;
but so long as foreign countenance is given to those turbulent Arabs, the action of the
Porte, os a matter of course, is paralyzed, and the Arabs are encouraged in their illegal acts
against the Sultan’s authority.”
96. In forwarding M. Pisa rips letter
Uid N-. 47.
ft /£<- Earl of Granville, tho Ambassador, ob-
served :—
“ I havo Biwe alluded «o the subject in covereation with tho Grand Vizier, and said that
as his language to M. Pisani had seemed to indicate-a suspicion that, tho disalToction of one
section of tho Arabs was countenanced by Her Majesty’s Government, i could assure him
that there were no grounds for any such suspicion.”
" All that Hor Majesty’s Government desired was that the existing stare of things in
South Arabia should not be disturbed, and I had merely communicated to him Colonel
Herbert’s dospntoh in order to show tho opinion of an impartial and competent judge upon the
impolicy of lending the weight of the support of the Porie to the expelled Walubi Chief.
'“Aali Pasha replied that the whole sympathies of tho Porte being in opposition to tho
Wahabis, by whom they are looked upon almrst as heretics, I would understand that the
support which it had been found nece-’sary to extend to their Chief could only be duo to the
importance of maintaining the influence of the Sultan over the Arab tiibee undiiniaish-d.”
97. With regard to the observations of tbo Grand Vizier, and especially
Hid No. 68 two paragraphs, the Govern­
ment of India, in a despatch to the Sec­
retary of State, No. *40, dated 14th July, romarked:—
“ Two points in this passage it would, in our opinion, be most inexpedient to pass l.y
withoit not'ce : 1st, Aali Pasha’s words that no steps aro being taken to prevent tho progress
of Russia towards the Indian frontier*, and 2n>l, the implication that the British Government
avails itself of tho pretended weakness of tho Porte to countenance tho Aiabs in their illegal
acts against the Sultan’s authority.
u As regards the first point, we havo much reason to fear that, the false impression onter-
tained by Aali Pasha is not coniine 1 to the Turkish Minister, but generally prevails in
Europe and Aaia. This circumstance adds much to tho imporuiuco of bringing to an early
and satisfactory conclusion the negotiations with the Hussain Government «-n the subject of
the boundaries of Afghanistan, to whioh we drew attention in our despit:h No. 33, of Kith
Juno. Wo would therefore again urge upon Her Majesty’s Government the desirability of
asking the Russian Government to commuoioute as soou ns p>ssible the purport of General
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