Page 215 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter X. 169
89. On the 14th June the Wali ashed the Resident to prevent the steamers
of Messrs. Lynch and Co. from entering the Tigris. Colonel Twcedie replied that
this was a matter of serious importance, which could not ho settled locally, and
that he would report the case to Government. On recoipt of his telegraphic
report, the Embassy at Constantinople at once addressed the Porto on the
subject, but no immediate orders were issued, and the Wali threatened to stop
the steamers by force. As the question was to ho decided at Constantinople,
the Government of India did not interfere beyond calling the attention of Her
Majesty’s Government to the case, and suggesting that tho case of the Cornel
should bo negotiated at tho same time.
90. On tho 28th Juno the steamer jlJosoul was prevented from shipping her
cargo, and tho Agent of the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company
was informed that tho steamcis would not in future he allowed to load or dis­
charge. On tho same date the Wali informed the Eosidcut that a telegram
from Constantinople prohibited English steamers from entering tho Tigris.
In reply, the Resident once more referred to the negotiations going on at
Constantinople, and askod for delay pending final ordors. To this the Wali
replied as follows :—
“ In reply to your letter No. 51-of 28th instant, I havo tho honour to repeat intima­
tion already made to you that, as Lynch and Company’s privilege applies to Euphrates only,
the Ottoman Government have finally prohibited tlicir keeping steamers on the Tigris, and that
it is therefore impossible to further tho views stated in your letter.
"2. Previous letters have informed you that Lyuch aud Company have permission to run
two steamers on the Euphrates, but not on the Tigris.
“ Their steamer Mcjidieh, which came up to Baghdad from Basra on this occasion
having reached Baghdad before issue of final orders, will be permitted to discharge her cargo.
But I take this opportunity to inform you that final orders have been given to the Captain of
our steamer at Gurna, and othc«s; that henceforward it is requisite that no cargo should
be given to Lynch's steamers; also that, should they desire to run on the Tigris and come up
again to Baghdad, it will be necessary to obstruct (stand before) thorn aud give them no way
to enter the Tigris.”
91. Colonel Twosdic then called the Wali’s attention to the serious conse­
quences which might, ensue if he enforced his orders, and to the inconvenience
which would he caused by stopping steamers carrying the English mail. To
this the Wali replied that he merely carried out the orders lie had received,
and that the mails could easily he carried by Turkish steamers.
92. The following letter from the Agents of Messrs. Lyuch and Co. will
show the measures subsequently taken by the Wali:—
Dated 6th July 1883.
From—The Manager, Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company,
To—Colonel YV. Tweeoie, Officiating Consul-General, Baghdad.
We have tho honour to report, for your information, that at noon yesterday six Zaptiehs
wore placed on board the S. S. Mijidiik, and foro-
Sccrct, Auguit lt>83, No*. 3J2-4I3. (No. 38S). jbly prcVented her taking any cargo or passengers
on board, nr holding any communication with nuybody other than the ship’s own crow. At all
the usual landing places Z'plich< were also stationed for a similar purpose. Towards evening
tho crew were prevented from taking their provisions on board preparatory to starting for
Busra this morning, and many of them were ill-treated, as also were five oarponters in our pay’
and employed by us to work in Busra. These latter, after being placed on board by one of your
Cavasscs, were again turned out oF the ship by Zaptiehs, and oventually went on board, as you
arc aware, with your kind permission, in the mail boat from the Kesidonoy. Tho Commander’s
luggage was »toppcd going on board, and in fact, though we mado no attorapt whatever to tako
a single, package or passenger, wo were subjected all day to such annoyances by the Zaptiehs
that, although all employed on board our steamers have strict orders to avoid any breach of the
pca^e, no mattor what happens, wc arc in constant fear of somebody losing their temper and
doing something which wo should all very much regret, and which might provo tho spark to
ignite the intcuso excitement oaused by the actiun of the Turkish authorities towards our
steamers.
We havo tho honor to bring to your notice the aolion of tho local authorities towards our
Steamer Mcjidilli which has just left fur Busra.
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