Page 278 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

248 Part III.
copies of this correspondence to tlio Government of India addrossed a long domi-
oflioial to tlio Secretary, Foreign Dcpalrtmont, on the samo subject.
358. Colonol Tweedio pointed out that the Porto had quito recently received
the viowsof Her Majesty’s Government on tho gun-boat quostion, and quoted
Lord Granville’s despatch to Musurus Pasha quoted above :—
*'In deference to the wishes-of tlio Sublime Porte, British ships-of-war do not proceed
further up the Shat-el-Arab than Kurna, but Her Majesty's Government aro not aware of
any regulation precluding such ships from visiting Basrah."
359. In his domi-ofTicinl to tlio Secretary, Colonel Tweedio expressed the
opinion that as “a rulo and in the absence of special circumstances, ono gun­
boat at Basrah is enough at one and the samo tirao.” And ho thought that
the intense alarm which “ the sight of the British gun-boat caused to the
TJsmanli mind at the present period is of itself a kind of reason for not making
tho spectacle too familiar a one.”
(iv) Number of guns allowed to be carried by foreign vessels in the
Shat-el-Arab, 1893.

3G0. The Turkish authorities further showed anxiety to restrict the privilege
which all merchant vessels have been enjoying from time immemorial to carry
four guns when avseending up tho Shat-el-Arah to protect themselves against
pirates. When this privilege was expressly granted and the number of guns
was limited to four, it is not possible to say. But the Turks now wished to put
a stop to the privilege. With this view the following communication was
addressed by the Valiof Basrah to the British Consul at Basrah on 23rd Septem­
ber 1893
u According to a vorbal communication1 of your Dragoman, guns and ammunition of
Indian vessels arriving from India and others, which wero for protection, aro taken by the
Mudir at Faoand on returning they havo to pay money. I have communicated with the said
Mudir on thu subject, who has replied by telegram that there is a decision that every vessel
bo allowed to carry four gutis only and the remainder kept by the Government on a receipt
until return of the vessel, and that this arrangement is for prevention of sale of the extra guus
by the crew’s to tbe inhabitants. I beg, therefore, that yon will bo good enough to instruct
those concerned and prevent them from keeping with them any extra guns than required and
also from selling any ammunition to inhabitants."
361. It appears that the Turks formerly used to provide escort ships in
certain parts of tlio river to protect them
Political A., March 1881, No,. 2G-30, (No. 31).
against pirates. When this practice
ceased it is not known, and possibly when this sort of protection was withdrawn
ships were allowed to carry four guns. No papers can be traced on this point.
362. Probably the Turkish authorities apprehended that- the privilege of
carrying guns would be abused, or possibly they were anxious to exercise more
than ordinary supervision on the Shat-el-Arab with the object of extending
their rights over the river, limited by the Erzeroum which accounts for the
precautionary measures taken by the Vali of Basrah.
(v) Levy of Customs dues by the Turks on imports and exports at
Mohammerah, 1893-94.
363. In October 1893 tbo British Consul at Basrah received a complaint
flaerat E., May 1894, No.. 307-340. from a Nakoda of a British Indian baghla
sea tbo Conaor. letter dated 13th Ootober to tha that on arrival in the Shat-el-Arab with a
40 n cargo of charcoal for Mohammerah, he
stopped by the authorities at Eao, and after undergoing 24> hours’ quaran­
tine the Customs authorities visited liis ship and asked him whero ho was
bound for. On informing them lie was bound for Mohammerah a paper was
given to him which ho was ordered to sign; this tho man naturally had to do
though lie did not know tho contents of tbo document. Ho was told lie must
produce this document boforo tho Customs authorities at Dowasir. On nrriva
at Dowasir his vessel was visited by Customs officials, and on liis saying lie
was hound for Mohammerah ho was allowed to go, no notico being takon or
the document he had received at Eao. °