Page 219 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter X. 1D3
the Porto lias rreognieed Uio validity of the agreement of 181G, for it lias formally annulled
the Viziriol letters which gave cfEoct to it. Either theso letters wero valid or they wero not j
if they wero not valid, it was not ucocssary to annul them.
Morcovor, what is the position of the Turks under this same correspondence? They
acknowledge in it the right conferred by Firman of a British Company to maintain two—
and two only—stcamors on tho Tigris. Afterwards they shift their ground, and say that
tho right conferred by this 6amc Firman rofers only to tho Euphrates. What, then, be­
comes of tho original contention, that the right was limited to two steamers on the Tigris ?
Obviously, it was a wrong contention. lienee, on their own showing, tho Turks have placed
a limit, which they had no right to place on tho number of British steamers navigating the
Tigris. Further, on their own showing tho Firman on which the Turks have hitherto rcliod
relates only to tho Euphrates, how then do they account for tho proscnco of British steamers
on tho Tigris? Tho only possiblo answor is under tho agreement of 18-lG.
102. Ou tho 5th of July 1883 tho Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
addressed a note to Musurus Pasha pro­
Scorit E.. August 1833, Nos. 312-313 (No. 423).
testing against tho proceedings of tho
Turkish authorities in stopping tho navigation of tho Tigris by the British ship­
ping. It -was pointed out that our ships had been enjoyiug tho privilege of
navigating tho river for many years—a privilege which was confirmed by the
arrangements of 1846, 18G1 and 18G2.
103. Protests wero also lodged at tho Porte, and ultimately on 3rd August
a temporary suspension of the prohibition
Soorct E., Novombor 1833, Nos. 80-110 (No. 93).
of tho navigation by tho one ship was
ordered. "We shall quote bolow the despatch of tho Foreign Office to the Bri­
tish Ambassador about this temporary suspension:—
No. 131, dated Foreigu Offico, London, tho 4th August 1883 (CommcrdHl).
From—Earn. Giunville, K.G., Secretory of Stote for Foreign Affairs,
To—II. Wyjtdiiaji, Esq.
The Turkish Ambassador called on me yesterday and gave me the inclosed telegram,
stating that the- Porto had decided on revoking for tho present tho meamres taken by the
cuthoritics at Baghdad with regard to the navigation of the Tigris by Messrs. Lynch and
Co.*6 vessels.
This decision was howover subject, as His Exccllcucy explained, to threo conditions
1. That it was not to be considered as in any way prejudicing or derogating from tho
rights claimed by the Porte in regard to the navigation of the Tigris.
2. That the question of those rights and of tho oxtenfc and naluro of the privileges con-
cccdcd to the Company should be examined and discussed between the two Governments.
3. That thorc should bo no questiou of claims for compensation on account of what had
taken placo.
I told Musurus Pasha that lie had mentioned this last condition to mo in our previous
conversation on tho subject., and that I had told him that it was not one to which we could
agree.
Musurus Pasha admitted that I lmd objected to it, but said that ho had told his Govern­
ment that lie believed it might bo admitted, and added that lie feared if it wero declined tho
Porte would drop the negotiation altogether.
Ilis Excellency called upon me again this afternoon and reverted to tho subject.
I repealed, as regards the third condition, that I had already objected to it. I could not,
I said, admit the ineompctcncy of Her Majesty’s Government to examine whether there were
any private claims for compensation which ought to be met. My own impression was that,
although great inconvenience had been wantonly caused by the arbitrary conduct of the Voli,
thero did not at present seem, on tho information already before Ilis Majesty's Government, to
he grotind for pecuniary claims, as tho stoppage of tho vessels had ceased.
If the Vali had been acting without authority from tho Porte, and if sufficient satisfac­
tion were given for tho insults which have been offered by him, and which must appear
unjustiliablo to t he Sultan and to his Government it would removo difficulties as to any
question of damages, and would enublo the agreement for the futuro to be conducted on very
friendly conditions."
104. The result was telegraphed to tho Government of India by tho Besi-
dent on August dtli.
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