Page 155 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter VII. 133

1 should myself tako no stop which should have tho character of being final, but should rather
await the expected return of Her Mnjosty's Ambassador, who will ho better qualifiod than
myself to give a definitive instruction. 1 will therefore abstain from making any roply to the
Porte’s note. On tho other hand, 1 must count on your taking the nccossary measures, in tho
meantime, to prevent any further salutos being fired within Turkish internal waters by tho ship
in question.
172-A. Tho Foreign Office was of opinion that Colonol ITerbert acted
injudiciously in raising the question by reviving the obsolcto practice of. salut­
ing, which seems to have boen always irregular as not in accordance with Admi­
ralty Regulations Foreign Office to the India Office, dated 10th July 1874).
172-13. Tho Government of India concurred in this opinion, and observed
that—
" Colonel Herbert’s right to bo saluted on proper occasions is quite a different question. As
a Political Agent with tho status of a Resident lie is entitled uudor ller Majesty’s Order in
Couucil of 513rd January 1800 to a salute of 13 guns”.)
(iii) Attitude enjoined on its Governors by the Porto towards Foreign, especially,
British Consuls, 1884.
173. In 1884 the Grand Vizier to the Sultan issued a secret order to tho
Governors of Iledjaz, Yemen, Baghdad,
Sicret E., Juno 1885, Not. 300*303.
and Arabistau, giving them instructions as
to tho attitude they should observe towards Foreign Consular agents and
warning them to he specially careful in their dealings with those in the service
of the British Government. Colonel Ross thought that the circular was prob­
ably intended to express displeasure at the general policy of England towards
Turkey and was probably drafted with a view to its being read by tho British
and other Foreign Governments. Colonol Ross added—
ri < Whilst the comments on the present policy of England aro strong, tho actual instruc­
tions as regards treatment of Consuls aro a mure ‘ flesh in the pan ’.”

(iv) Tours of the Political Resident in Turkish Arabia and objections of the Porte,
1876-1897.
174. During the times of Colonel Rawlinson and Colonol Kemball our
Political and Marino officers made oxtonsivo tours in Turkish Arabia partly on
duty and partly for tho purpose of extending geographical and antiquarian
knowledge.
Tho surveys and the geographical and archaeological work of Colonel Raw­
linson, Sir Felix Jones aro the monuments of their enterprise and industry.
What is important to note is that their tours never appear to have boon objected
to. Latterly the Turkish authorities liavo attempted to restrict the privilege
enjoyed formerly by our Political Officers.
175. The Political Officers formerly do not appear to have submitted pro­
posals for their tours to Government. They travelled and reported their move­
ments to Government occasionally, if they wore of any importance. Latterly
the practice commenced to make a reference to Government long - before tour
was undertaken.
176. In February 1876, Colonel Nixon, who was then Resident at Bagh­
dad, submitted proposals for a tour to
Fininco Pro. B., August 1877, Nos. 36 37.
Kermanshah and the neighbouring Persian
frontier.
177. But Colonel Nixon did not carry out his proposod journey, although
general permission to travel was granted him in the following terms :—
“ The Governor-General io Council recognises tho advantage of your being placed in such
a position as will enable you to undertake tours of inspection when and where the interests of
the British Government may require you to do so.”
178. The next journey of which wo can find any record is that of Colonel
H-ml B„ December 1879, No. 901. Kcl*ella ^,1570 Hi*
object in going was that these towns
had not been visited by the Political Agont “ for some yoars ” and he wished
to observo the condition of tho natives of India residing there.
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