Page 163 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter VII- 141

mentioned is " Basrah.” I hnvs, however, a copy of the Berat granted in 17fi4 to Mr. Garden,
tbo Host India Company's Resident at Basrah, in which he is recognized as British Consul for
transacting tho Company’s affairs in the city of Basrah, “ or other places thereto belonging or
dopondent thereon ” Tho Vicc-Consulato at Mosul has only been in existence between 40 and
50 years, and, though I have no copy of the Vice-Consul’s Berat, I gotber from correspondence
in my office that “ Mosul ” is the only plnco mentioned in it.
3. But although tho Berat of tho Consul-Gonoral at Baghdad only mentions "Baghdad,”
it should bo remomborod that tho Vilayntof Baghdad comprised at one time the entire country
from Diarhehir to Basrah, and that until quite recent times the Baghdad Vilavat included both
Mosul and Basrah. Thero was in fact only ono official designation, via., Baghdad, for this
extensivo tract of country, and at anyrato there has never been any question whatevor of the
right of Her Majesty's Consul-General at Baghdad to oxercise superintendence over tho affairs
of Basrah and Mosul so far ns these might come under the cognizanco of tho British Vice-
Consul at thoso places. At Basrah tho work was of a mixed character, and concorned both
British trade und British relations with tho people of tho country, notably, of course, the
differont Arab tribes. At Mosul, howover, I don’t eupposo thero is a single British subject
and little, if any, British trade. It has always been a post of observation, and the Vice-Consul’s
principal business has boon the 6upcrvision and protection of the local Christians, who are of
oourso Turkish subjects.
4. With respect to tho question as to recent changes in the Vilayafc of Baghdad, I beg to
inform Your Lordship that since the beginning of 1H79 Mosul has been a separate Vilayat,
but that both tho present Vali of Baghdad, Taki-ud-din Pasha and his immediate predecessor,
Abdul Rnhman Pasha, aro supposed to have entertained hopes that this arrangement would be
cancelled and tho proviuce restorted to the Vilayat of Baghdad. I have no information as to
the exact boundaries of the Vilayat of Mosul, especially as to the northern aud western limits,
but southwards it roachos to within about twelve hours’ journey of the city of Baghdad, and
on tbo east it is bounded by' Persia. Basrah has from time to time been made a separate
Vilayat, but gpnerally tire arrangement is maintained only for a few years. Thus from 1875
until the spring of 1880 Basrah was a separate administration, hut was then restored to
Baghdad. About three months ago it was again constituted a Vilayat, and Talih Pasha was
appointed Vali. His appointment is, however, understood to havo bprn cancelled, and
the Vilayat remains in charge of a temporary incumbout. Ali Riza Pasha, who is, 1 beliove, an
Admiral in the Turkish service, and who commands the Naval Depot at Basrah. The uew
Vilayat includes the Mutcssarifliks of (1) Basrah, (2) Nejed and El Hussa, (3) Nasariyali, the
centre of the Montcfik country, and (4) Awarah on the Lower Tigris.
5. With regard to Your Excellency’s third question, my opinion is that, if a favourable
opportunity should occur, it would bo very desirable to revise the Berat of the Consul-
General at Baghdad and those of the Vice-Consuls at. Mosul and Basrah. The Berat of the
Consul-General should, I thiuk, specify that his jurisdiction includes the Yilaynts of Baghdad,
Basrah and Mosul, and those of tho two Vice-Consuls, tho Vilayat, of Basrah and Mosul
respectively. At the samo tirao, as a matter «f fact, the Consul-General at Baghdad has for
years past dealt with businoss of all kinds arising within the area of the three Vilnyats, and
has been in the habit of travelling anywhere ho pleases without let or hindrance. So also the
Vice-Counsel at Basrah has never con.-idt-rcd his powers of intervention limited to the towo of
Basrah, nor has any exception, so far as 1 am aware, been taken to his proceedings on ground
of want of jurisdiction. I think also, though I cannot speak with the same certainty, that
the Vice-Consul atMosul has onquired into matters affecting the Christian inhabitants of the
country other than those residing within the town of Mosul. Therefore, if the right of the
Consul-Goncral at Baghdad or of either of the two Vice-Consuls named to tnko action in any
particular mattor were called in question on tho plea of absence of jurisdiction, it is probable
that an adequate answer could he framed showing that such action was admissible by suffer­
ance, usagn aud prescription. Nevertheless, a definite settlement of the question by a revision
of tho Borats in sorao such way as I have suggested would, 1 think, be satisfactory.
(c) The question-raised in 1887.

216. In his despatch No. 422, dated I8tlv September 1887, Colonel Tweedi G
complained to Sir W. White about the
Estonia! A., July 1888, Nos. 315-347 (No. 316).
discourtesy shown by the Vali of Basrah
in not having paid an official visit to him on the occasion of his recent presence
at Baghdad. Sir VV. White replied (despatch dated 14th September 1887):—
“ (1) You as Consul-General at Baghdad are not accredited to Vali or Vilayats of
Basrah.
u (2) Tho Vali of Basrah was not obliged to return your second visit, which was merely
a visit of adieu at Basrah.
“ (3) As tho Vuli of Basrah was meroly on a visit at Baghdad, bo had no official posi­
tion there as far us you were conoerueJ, aud au exchauge of visits would be
merely optional."
[S646 PI)]