Page 158 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

130 Part II.

191. Major Talbot, Political Resident, Turkish Arabia, proposed- to mako
Eittrnal A., November 1888, Noi. DO-Gl, onJ a short tour iu Novembor 1888 to Kcrbclla
Decunber, Not. 1-2. and Najaf and in reply to a reference
made to the British Embassy at Constantinople ho was told that thoro waa no
objection to the proposod tour.
192. In September 1897 Lieutenant-Colonel Loch, Political Resident in
Turkish Arabia, proposod to go on an
fltcrct E , April 1898, Nos. 107-114.
oxtonded tour (1) from Basrah to Ilayil,
El doff and back ; (2) from Baghdad to Mosul and back vui Korkook; (3) frown
Baghdad to Kermanshah am1 along the borders of Luristan and Bakhtiari
country to Ahwaz and back to Baghdad.
193. In submitting this proposal to the Foreign Offico, Sir P. Currie
observod (letter No. 3, dated 27 th January 1898):
w The second of these tours (to Mosul and KerkookJ appears to mo unobjectionable,
"With regard to the third, I would observe that a great part of the proposed route is in
Persian not Turkish territory. It is, I bcliovo, usual for Consular oflicors to travel officially
outside tiio couutry in which their post is situated, uuless some special reason, which is not
alleged in this case, oxists.
The first tour that to Chail and El-jof suggests more serious considerations. British
offioials have no doubt a perfect right to visit that district, but it is equally certain that the
proposed journey would attract the attention and arouso the suspicious of tho Ottoman
Government, and in nil probability give rise to accusations of British intrigues. As Your
Lordship is aware from my despatch No. 782 of 22nd Novembor last, and from Lord Cromer's
reports, the Sultan was recontly much porImbed by the rumours that Prince Aziz of Egypt
was proceeding to Nejd acoorapanied by an Englishman.”
191. The Foreign Offico concurred in these viows, and while sanctioning
to the second of tho proposed tours, desired that tho others should be aban­
doned.

(v) Turkish objections to the Political Agent goiug up the Tigris on the Comet north
of Baghdad, 1385.
195. In April 1885 Mr. Plowden started on a tour up tho River Tigris on
External B, Jane 1835, Noi. 1C-17. board’ the Comet, but he had proceeded
Secret E., July 1866. Noi. 252-655. only a short distanco, when the Comet
Secret E., October 1685, Noe. 11C-125.
groundod and bad returned to Baghdad.
The Ottoman Government protested against the movements of the Comet.
196. In a note, dated 11th July 1885, Lord Salisbury expressed the hope
that no opposition would ho made to the stationnaire at Baghdad ascending
the River Tigris for the purpose of conveying Her Majesty’s Consul-General to
parts of bis Consular district provided due notice was previously given to the
local authorities. This note was accepted by the Porte without any demur.

(vi) Objections of Porte to the visit of the Consul-General at Baghdad on board the
Comet to Samarah, 1894.
197. In April 1894 there occurred a serious disturbance at Samarah, in
which it was reported that the lives of
Secret E.( September 1694, Not. 8-13.
several British Indians were in danger.
Colonel Mockler on bearing of this, proceeded on board the Comet to the
place—after giving the necessary notice to tho Vali, who raised no objection.
The Porte, howover, took exception to Colonel Mockler’s proceedings in
ascending up the river by the Cornell Lord Kimberley in reply drow attention
to the note addressed by Lord Salisbury, dated 11th July 1896. The note bad
been accepted without a demur and Her Majosty’s Government were under
the impression that a request so reasonable in itself and founded purely on
grounds of convenience could not meet with any objection. On tho present
occasion tho Consul-General’s visit was necessitated purely in tho interest of
British subjects and was mado with the full approval of tho Vali. In these
circumstances Lord Kimberley expressed a hope that the Porte would acquit