Page 156 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

131 Part II.

Tho journoy would seem to have been undertaken without any referenoo
to the Government of Iudia. Colonel Miles telegraphed his intention of going
to tho Ambassador at Constantinople, but went apparently as a matter of
course. Ho novor roported tho matter
Ocnorkl U., 1879, No. 101.
until it was a fait accomplil and tho
Turks, as far as tho records show, made no objection.
179. Botween this 1879 nothing in the way of travelling appears to have
been contemplated or undertaken. In
Proi., May 1891, No. 291.
March of the latter year Mr. Plowdcn
asked to bo allowed to avail himself of the general permission which had boon
given to Colonol Nixon by tho Govornmont of India fivo years beforo as ho
(Mr. Plowdcn) considorcd it desirable on gcnoral grounds for tho llcsidcnt
" to show himsolf occasionally on the frontier."
Upon this tho Secretary noted that ho " should be disposed to cnoourago
any travelling which can be accomplished in safety and without giving
umbrago to tho authorities, who arc probably suspicious.”
And Mr. Plowdcn was accordingly informed that there was “ no objec­
tion to his making an experimental tour iu tho direction indicated.”
180. Between Juno and September 1881, Mr. Plowdcn carried out his
project and travelled from Baghdad to
Secret, January 1892, Nos. GGG*670.
Kermanshali and thence to Mosul.
Tho greater part of this journey, however, lay in Persian and not in Tur­
kish territory. But we can find nothing to show that tho Ottoman Govern­
ment objected to tho Resident’s movements. In his letter forwarding a report
of the Kermanshah-Mosul journey, Mr. Plowden mado mention of a recent
trip to Kerbclla and Najaf, and this, as in Colonel Miles’ case, appoars to havo
been done as a matter of course without
Froi. quoted aboTC.
reference to higher authority or objections
being raisod by tho Porte.
182. In April 1881, Mr. Plowden submitted to tlio Government of India
a forecast of tho political tours he intended to mako during tho year on tho
Turko-Persian frontier south-east of Bagh­
!: A., Political K., Juno 1881, No*. 099-700. dad, and to Mosul and tho surrounding
country to the north and north-west.
183. These proposals received the sanction of tho Govornmont of India
and of Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambas­
ii A., Political E. sador at Constantinople. He was also
supplied with certain scientific instruments for use during the tour.
I 18i. Mr. Plowden, however, does not appear to have started on his travels
Eittm.1 b„ p,M. jun. 1685, No., ic-17. until AP«> 1885, and liad only proceeded
The Ottoman Government protcatcd against tlio a short distance Up the Tigris, when tllO
—yj. Comet grounded .nd ho returned to
1' Baghdad on the 7th May.
185, Mr. Plowden left Baghdad for [India- in June 1885. In September
1885, Colonel Tweedie, in referring to the
General A., July 1885, No. 85.
correspondence of 1884j above noticed sub-
mitted that it seemed—
"scarcely desirable m present ciroumstancos and with tho winter so near to take up tho smmer
tour in Persian territory which Mr. Plowden had iu contemplation”
and he proposed submitting for it a visit to Kerbclla and Najaf.
186. On receipt of the approval of tho Government of India be forwardod
External A., October 1885, Nos. 1G9-170. his proposals for tho consideration of Her
Telegram No. 164G-E., dated 20tU October 1885.
Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador at Con­
stantinople, and in reply was ordered to postpone his departure “ till tlio receipt
of further instructions.” These instructions were to the following effect:—
“ That in view of the strong political objections raised by the Porte, Colonol Tweedie is
Enclosure No. l to Colonel Tweedio*# No. 701 requested to abandon his proposed jouxnoy to Kcr-
daud 22nd Dcccmbtr 1885. ’ balla and Najaf.”
External A., March 1886, Nos. 10-13.