Page 133 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter IV. ill
I am most reluctant to send them, for they can rarely pet anythin*; done, and yet practically I
have no choice. Contrast my portion with that of tho Resident in the Persian Gulf. 1 have
at least as much work to do and vet while I am single-handed, the Resident at Unship* has
an AssUtant Resident (until lately ho had two), and a Treasury Officer of tho status of au
Extra Assistant Commissioner. There is no comparison between my work and that of the
French Consul at Baghdad, the proportion is as ton to one, and yet the latter is allowed by
his Government an European Assistant carofully trained in the Oriental College at Paris.
Moreover, tho value of Hnglulad as a field for training a young Political Officer is worth
of aomo consideration, llu would have an unrivalled opportunity of learning Arabic, Porsian,
and Turkish, of mixing with Orientals of many and vaiious types, and of seeing what
Muhammadanism is like in a country where Islam is tho dominant faith. 1 cannot help
thinking that, if Baghdad were nearer India, the necessity of giving the Resident an
Assistant would have recognised long before this, and I ara stionglyof opinion that the public
interest? Buffer through the omission to appoint one.1'
65. The reply of the Government of India to the Secretary of Stato was
(Despatch No. 78, dated 13th July 1883):—
“ It won id undoubtedly bo usoful to the Resident, and advantageous to the Government of
India, to add an Assistant to the Residency Staff. At the same time we arc not satisfied
that the work of the Maghdad Residency aud Consulato is sufficiently heavy to justify the
expense which would bo incurred in creating a fresh appointment in our political service, as
proposed by Mr. Plowdon. Wo shall endeavour, however, to doputo to Baghdad from time to
time any young officer who may not be required for moie urgent duty elsewhere. At present
we have no ono available fur this purpose, but when an opportunity occurs we will give the
matter full consideration.”
55-A. During Mr. Plowden’s absence on leave, Colonel Tweedie (in
temporary charge) revived the question
A., Poliiical E., November 18S3, Noi. 118120.
of the need for increasing the Staff and
proposed the appointment of two Indian Mahomcclan Attaches to a British
Civil or Military Officer. Government, however, decided to take up the
question at some later date.
55-B. There was some further discussion in 1884 and 1885, hut nothing
A.. Oeneriil 0., Julv 18SJ, No*. 21*61. was done for strengthening the stall of
External March 18SG. No*. 220.231. the Baghdad Residency.
65-C. In November 1904, Major Mcwmarch represented to the Foreign
Office commenting on the great difficulty
Secret E , September 19 o, Nos. 103-123.
he experienced in drawing up Trade
reports and in coping with consular duties in addition to his political duties,
which occupied most of his time. He therefore proposed the appointment
of a Consular Assistant at Baghdad, llis Majesty’s Ambassador at Constanti­
nople thought it. advisable to attach a member of the Levant Service to the
post.. Tho Foreign Office agreed to the proposal and the Government of India,
while expressing concurrence in the proposal which would encumber them
with one-half of the cost pressed tho appointment of Mr. Gaskin, then on
special duty with Mr. J. G. Lorimer on tour in connection with the Persian
Gulf Gazoitcer (Despatch No. 72-Socrct—External dated 27th April 1905). Mr.
Gaskin, however, proceeded on privilege leave of threo months joined with
furlough of live months with effect from 2Sth June 1905.
(ix) British Ageuts at Kerbella and Kathimain: appointment of Consular Agent
at Kerbella.
56. Certain members of tho Arcot family have been acting as our a Honora­
ry Ayents ” at Kerbella and Kathimain. Owing to the important positions they
held as distributors of the Oudli Bequests,* and as they have been playing an
important part in those places, we shall attempt to draw a pedigree of tho
family so fur as can be made out from our records :—
NAWaB .MAHOMED 11YDEB
AL1 KHaN.
Xmab Mahomed Mohoond Tabi
Hukictii Khuu. E ban.

Aga Mahomed Mirzn Mahomed Miria Mahomed Mirra Mahomed Mirra Mahomed
Khan. llii'.aii Khan, Uadi Kliua. lbralum Khan. AH Khan
57. Hyder Ali Khan appears to have been the first Agent for the
Political A. October 1877. No*. 201—218. distribution of the Oudh Bequest,
Secret. M arch lt80, No*. 176-17‘J.
mentioned in our records. He is spoken
of ns our Honorary Ayent at Kerbella. On his death Mahomed Taki Khan,
apparently his son, succeeded him, and he was also appointed our JHonorary
• Seo Chupio: XVI a* to tboOudh Dequut.