Page 210 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

184. Part III.

now vessel belonging to La Marine Royal on the rivers of Mesopotamia, in
place of tho Comet in the following note verbale dated 13th July 1SG9:—•
“ En reponse a la note vorbalo do I’Ambassado do S. M. Britanniquo cn date du 23 Juin,lo
Ministro dra Affaires Elrangfcres a V honnour de 1* informer quo la S. Porto consent au rum-
placement par an autre navire du bfitemcnt de la Murine Royal La Comete so trouvant svir lo
Tivifrcs de Mesopolamie, ot qu’cllo a tran6mis dcs ordres cn consequonco an Governour-Geno-
ral du Vilayet de Baghdad.”
61. In February 1870 the Governor-General in Council reviewed tho corres­
pondence which had taken placo regarding
Folilical A., February 1879, No* 331*43 (No. 243).
the employment of a now vessel on tho
rivers of Mesopotamia in lieu of the Comet. While recognising the import­
ance of having a Government vessel on thoso rivers, Ilis Excellency in Council
considered it unnecessary, in consequence of the increased facilities for naviga­
tion, to replace the Comet by a vessel of similar size, which would cost Rupees
61,200 to purchase and Rs. 3,039 a month to maintain. His Excellency in
Council was of opinion that a small steam launch worth 11s. 10,000 or 12,000,
with an establishment costing Rs 6,000 a year at the utmost, would suffice for
tho use of tho Baghdad Residency (Resolution dated 23rd February 1870).
62. A copy of this Resolution was sent to the Mariue Department for con­
sideration.
63. A copy was also forwarded to the Officiating Political Agent in Turkish
No. 8, dated 7th April 1870. Arabia, who earnestly solicited reconsidera­
tion of the subject. He said that the only
Political A., June 1870, Not. 268-270.
way in which the navigation of the rivers
was facilitated was that vessels could now pass up and down in perfect free­
dom from attack by hostile Arab tribes. But the natural difficulties remained
the same, while tho presence of an increased number of Turkish boats was tho
strongest possible reason for the replacement of the Comet by a vessel of equal
importance. The Turkish authorities were doing their best to drive the vessels
oj the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company off the river. Should
they succeed, the British and Indian community of Baghdad would necessarily
depend on the Government vessels attached lo the Residency, and she would be
the only available means of keeping up the postal communication with India.
Another point deserving of serious consideration was the moral support
afforded by the presence of a Government vessel at Baghdad to British com-
mercial enterprise in that country. This support, Colonel Herbert observed, was
very great. Only in 1869 when a portion of the country was in a state of
rebellion and au attempt at insurrection was made in tho town, tho Comet was
looked to as a means of escape in case of need.
Colonel Herbert also pointed to the probability that before long the high
road connecting England and India would pass through Baghdad, ** a country
which will produce cotton of excellent quality, which possesses a soil and
climate that give promise, that as it advances it may supply many of the wants
of England and Europe, and which offers a most promising field for tho invest­
ment of agricultural and commercial capital.’* He was of opiuion that a steam
launch such as that proposed by Government would not meet the necessity of
the caso. He therefore trusted that the Governor-General in Council would
allow no consideration to induce tlw adoption of a measure which, he asserted,
would he prejudicial to the political ami commercial interests of Great Britain
in that country.
61 The following Resolution was then recorded by the Government of
India (No. 576-P., dated 13th June 1870)
Resolution,—The Viceroy and Governor-General in Council, on a reconsideration of this
Political A., February 1870, NcS 208-229. question, k of opiuion that it is not necessary at
the present time lo replace the Comet oven with
a s'cam launch. There is ample fncilitv for carrying the mails in the English and Turkish
steamers which ore now plying on the Euphrates, and there is little likelihood with the increase
of civilization in Asiatic Turkey, that a British vessel of war should bo required, as the
Political Agent considers that it possibly might be a place of refuge for British subjects at
Baghdad. Mis Excellency in Council in this Department is accordingly of opinion that tho
Comet should be at once put out of commission, her crew discharged, with the exception of
such men as may be wanted to look after the vessel, and that the recommendation of substi­
tuting a steam-launch fur the Comet be cancelled.