Page 162 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

31.
** It would, however, ho advisable, in order to allay
the Shaikh's apprehensions, to inform him that llis
Majesty’s Government are fully ulivo to tho situation,
but that they do not anticipate Turkish aggrossion in
the neighbourhood of Mohainmorah, and you should
instruct Major Cox accordingly.”
Sir Ed\caril (Jrey to Sir H. O' Conor.
“(No. 75.)
“ Sir, *• Foreign OjJicet February 25, 190S.
•' I truiisinit to your Excellency herowith a copy of a
despatch from llis Majosty's Chargtf d’AfTnircs at
Tehran, relative to tho apprehensions of the Sheikh of
Molminiucrah in regard to recent developments on the
Til rco-Persian fron ti or.
Ah you aro aware, llis Majesty’s Government have
been content to allow tho Russian Govcrmnont, as
being mure closely concerned, to take tho lead in regard
to making any proposals for arresting tho Turkish
encroachments so long as they are confined to the
northern portion of the frontier ; but it is desirable
that your Excellency should clearly understand that
the position would bo materially ultored if there were
to be an advance of Ottoman troops to the south, moro
especially in tho neighbourhood of Mohammerah. In
this district Hi« Majesty’s Government aro not prepared
to recognize any other frontior than that laid down by
tho mediating Commissioners in 1850, as indicated iu
lvd on tho accompanying sketch map; und in this con­
nection I may recall tho admission made by the
Ottoman Ministor for Foreign Affairs to Her Majesty’s
Ambansador on tho 18th Novembor, 1893. to tho effect
that ‘the Turkish Government laid no claim whatever
t*> Mohammerah.’
“Any disturbance of the statue quo at Mohammerah
would affect British interests, and might not improbably
lead to the active intervention of His Majesty’s Govern­
ment, who have given the Sheikh certain assurances in
regard to his territory.
“ Your Excellency should accordingly instruct His
Majesty’s Consuls at Bagdad aud Bussorah to furnish by
telegraph early information of any aggrossivo designs in
the district in question."

In January 190S the British Consul-General Office^ igQg
at Bushire reported that the Sheikh was anxious
that His Majesty’s Government should guarantee
himself and his own family as heirs in tho
enjoyment of their presont position. Sir E.
Grey eonsiderod that it would be advisable
to maintain on attitude of reserve on this
subject.
March 18, 1908.