Page 262 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

23G Part III.

280. In forwarding Colonel Loch’s report, the Government of India (Des­
patch No. 105 (External), dated the 8th
Ibid, No. 82.
.June 1890) stated that from that report it
appeared improbable the funds required would he forthcoming, and that they
deprecated any expenditure from tho Indian revenues on the deputation of an
Engineer.
287. It appeared from a passage on the Turkish Journal Sabah of 11th Juno
1895 that on account of tho impediment
External A., September 1S99, No*. 12«13.
tho Oman Company’s steamers had met
with in their passage on the river, tho Engineer of tlic Vilayat had been ordered
to make a scientific survey of the river, and upon his reports being received,
it was decided to have tho rapids cleared and dug out and the Kaimakams of
Amara and Kurna were ordered to engago the requisite workmen to carry out
the work.
(xii) Permission accorded to Messrs. Lynch to tow barges on the
Tigris and subsequently withdrawn, 1899.*

288. In his Despatch dated 6th June 1S99 to the Foreign Office, Sir N.
O’Couor reported that, as the result of
Secret E., December 1899, Nos. 78-87 (No. 78 ).
prolonged negotiations with the Palace,
the Grand Vizier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he had been informed
by Tewfik Pasha that a Vizierial order had been issued to the Valis of Basrah
and Baghdad to allow Messrs. Lynch Company’s steamer to tow barges.
289. On the 29th August, however, Sir N. O’Conor telegraphed to tho
Foreign Office :—
Ibid, No. 79.
“ Her Majesty’s Consul at Basrah reports withdrawal of permission to tow
barges on Tigris. This is distinct breach of the promise given by tbo Grand
Vizier and reported to Your Lordship in my Despatch No. 7S7 of June Gth.
I told His Highness it could not be admitted, but that I would wait for two
days for order to bo rescinded before applying to Your Lordship for instructions.
Bis Highness said ho would present petition to the Sultan to-night for
imperial reminder in sense desired. But he did not seem sure of the result. It
may be necessary to put on some local pressure. The opportunity and locality
is favourable and the goneral effect will surely be salutary.”
290. The local authorities of Basrah and Baghdad had been informed that
the permission to tow barges had been can­
11 id, Noi. 80-81.
celled, but it appeared that there had been
no orders to forbid towing barges. So the Company was authorized by the
Foreign Office to instruct their agent to continue making use of a barge when
there was accumulation of traffic, unless he was officially forbidden to do so
in writing.
291. On 13th September 1895 Sir N. O’Conor telegraphed that the Sultan
ibid, No.82. bad refused to grant the permission pro­
mised. The Grand Vizier proposed a com­
promise that he should try to induce iho Sultan to give the permission for a
limited period of three years. Sir N. O’Conor was in favour of holding the
Porte to the original promise, but wished Messrs. Lynch beiDg consulted.
292. Messrs. Lynch were in favour of a permanent privilege, though it
might bo limited fora limited period in s
Secret E., February 1C00, No*. 43-44.
year from 1st July to 31st January, It is
not known what further action was takeD in the matter.
(xiii) Congestion of traffic between Baghdad and Basrah, 1903.
293. At the close of the year 1902, congestion of traffic between Basrah and
Trad* Report of Ihirali for 1902. Baghdad rose to serious proportions. On
External A.. July l‘J0:i, No. 62. tiio 1st December 1902 there were as
Secret K., December 1903, Nos. 32-35.
. many 2,52G tous of cargo lying uncloarcd
in the godowns of Messrs. Lynch & Co. This congestion was further r.ccen-
• lor previous history ico Chapter X (ix), paragraphs 75—SO.