Page 233 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XI. 207

unanimously preferred using the English post offico to the Turkish post office
for tho transmission of valuables anil letters of importance.
1G0. While the local Government at Baghdad continued to preserve a very
hostile attitude towards the British post office, the authorities in Constantinople
were not idle. On the 11th September 1SS3, the Ottoman Minister for Foreign
Adairs addressed II. M's Charge d’ Affaires at Constantinople demanding" the
suppression of tlio service with regard to the transport of loiters and correspond­
ence between Basrah and Baghdad by Messrs. Lynch and Company’s steamers.
It is perhaps needless to say that the demand was not complied with hut the
whole question of the post office in Turkish Arabia was reviewed by Mr. T. C.
Plowdon, Consul-General, Baghdad, and Political Resident, Turkish Arabia, in
despatches Nos. 36 aud 13!). dated Silt and 10th December 1388,.to II. M.’s
Ambassador at Constantinople, and to the Government of India. The questions
dealt with iu these despatches may be taken collectively under the following
heads :—
(1) The notice issued by the Vali of Baghdad.
(2) The town post offico at Basrah and the pillar letter-box in the
ICassim Aga Bazaar of that town.
(3) Carriage of local letters for river statious on the Tigris aud carriago
of Turkish official letters free of postage.
(-1) A representation made by the Vali of the refusal of the Basrah Bri­
tish Post Office to accept closed mails for despatch from the Turk­
ish post office at that town.
(5) Position of the British Indian post officos at Baghdad and Basra.
(G) Yearly inspection of those offices.
101. Mr. Plowdon was of opinion that the. notice issued by the Ottoman
authorities was objectionable because “ they have no jurisdiction over Lynch
aud Company’s steamers and cannot compel them to carry Ottoman mails for
Basrah and intermediate ports either on Thursday or any other day. Secondly,
because the intimation in respect to carrying letters not stamped with a Turkish
stamp is directed against tho operations of the British Post Office, whose mails
Lynch and Company’s steamers carry, aud is probably intended to servo as a
basis for prosecuting the Commander or Purser of these steamers for carrying
letters stamped with British Indian stamps.
1G2. With regard to the town post office and pillar letter-box at Basrah,
Mr. Plowdon stated that the latter had been removed aud that the town post
office would be closed on the first opportunity.
1G3. Lo°al letters for intermediate river stations, the Consul-General was of
opinion, should not he carried aud that the post offico should refuse to accept
Turkish official letters free of postage.
1G1. With regard to the refusal of the Basrah post office to accept closed
mails for despatch by tho ocean mail steamers from the Turkish post office, the
Consul-General stated that in aletter to his address, dated 2‘Jtli August 1SS3, the
Vali of Baghdad complained that the post office at the British Consulate in
Basrah, in opposition to tho regulations of the International Postal Union, had
refused to accopt from tho Turkish post office letters for India and other foreign
countries unless stamped with English (British Indian) stamps. In disposing
of this complaint Mr. Plowden wrote :—“ It is true that tho vessels carrying
the mails arc dependent on tho Government of India, but the postal service is
between two British offices, the Bombay offico and the British Consulate at
Basrah, aud there is no reciprocity between tho Bombay office aud any Ottoman
office.
1G5. The position of the two post offices at Baghdad aud Basra was Mr.
Plowden pointed out, the same as that of tho post offices at Smyrna and Bey.
rout, except that tho latter were managed on English rules aud the former on
the Indian system, lie represented that considerable trouble had been caused
at Basrah by tho post master corresponding direct with Turkish officials and
generally adopting a line of conduct independent of the Consulato. Ilo sub­
mitted that as the offices were purely Consular post offices, they should ho in
every respect subordinate to and under tho control of the Consul-General at
Baghdad and his Assistant at Basrah, and that the Inspecting Officer of
the Indian Postal Department, who visited the offices for inspection purposes
should report to him (the Consul-General) any irregularities for such action as
might be deemed expedient.