Page 280 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

2G0 Part III.

Tho Persian Government, moreover, when they learnt tho facts ontiroly
repudiated the addition as unauthorised.
371, On 24Mi January 1894, Sir F. Laccllas telegraphed that the Governor
of MohammoraH had reported that the
Ibid (No. 343).
Turkish authorities were still levying CU8-
toms duties on Persian and British ships from Mohammerah.
372. On 31st January 1894, Sir A. Nicolson sent to the Foreign Oflico a
memorandum drawn up by Mr. Block,
JiiJ (No 316).
which is quoted below:—
MEMORANDUM.
With icfcrcncoto thn question of dutius levied on goods for Mohammerah and the
Karun Hiver. 1 have nlrculy reported verbally that tho Custom House authorities here, and
whom the matter was referred by the Grand Vizier, have bcon for some time past in commu­
nication with the Customs of Baghdad and Basrah. All the necessary information havo been
received and a Commission has been formed at tho Custom House, which, aftor livo sittings,
is now drawing up a report embodying its views. This report may be expected to reach the
Grand Vizier in some five or 6ix days. I am unable to state exactly the nature of the report,
but Bertrnm Effendi, the Unclor-Socrctary of the Customs and President of the above Com­
mission, has bepn good enough to show' me a separate report drawn up by himself wherein ho
states that the question is divided into two poinis. The first is the levying of duty on goods
borne by ships proceeding up the Shat-el-jrab and destined for Mohanmerah direct. Bertram
Effeoiii states that the information from Basrah shows conclusively t hat no such duties aro be­
ing levied, but that as Her Majesty's Embassy still maintains that such is the case, it is
advisable to instruct the Customs authorities again on the point, so that there may be no pos­
sible ground of complaint, which if such duties were levied, would be perfectly unjustifiable. The
second point is the levying of duty on English coal landed in depots at liasrah and re-exported to
Mohammerah and the Karun River. Such goods now pay 8 per cent, whereas Her Majesty’s
Embassy maintains that they arc goods in transit and should benefit by the drawback of 7
percent. Bertram Effandi is of opinion that tho contention of Her Majesty’s Embassy is
correct, but as it is difficult for tho Ottoman Government to obtain from Mohammerah, trust­
worthy evidence that tho coal is really intended for Mohammerah, he proposes that the
Turkish Government should oamo an Ottoman Vice-Consul at that placo who would be in a
position to issue certificates that tho coal had been disembarked and consumed in Persian terri­
tory, or that they should come to an arrangement with the Persian Government that one or
two Turkish Customs employes should be placed at Mohammerah for tho same purpose. Ber­
tram Effeudi states that it i6 not uosual for a Government to have a Customs officer beyond
the frontier of an adjoiniog country, and such is the ease at Zcbcrchc in Sdrvia, where there
are Ottoman Customs authorities.
I pointed out to Bertram Effendi that he had Only mentioned coals in bis report, he
replied that no goods but coal, as far as he was aware, wore first taken to Basrah and returned
down river to Mohammerah; other goods went direct to Moharamcrah. Bertram Effendi
makes a point in his Teport of limiting his remarks to goods intended for Mohammerah itself,
for he states it has never yet been decided what lands on the left bank of the Shat-cl-Arab
property belong to Bersia, as the Commission of delimitation never came to a definite con­
clusion as to which tribes in that neighbourhood were Arabs, and which were Persian tribes.
This is a crucial point of the question for the Persian Government, for tho Turkish Govern­
ment will continue to raise difficulties with regard to goods which are not clearly and con­
clusively 6hown to be destined for Mohammerah itself or other regularly defined Persian terri­
tories.”
373. With reference to this memo­
Hid (No. 844).
randum Sir A. Nicolson observed:—
“ As lour Lordship will perceive from Mr. Block's memorandum the Ottoman Government
are not likely to raise any difficulties in regard to goods destined for Mohammerah, and it
would seem to me that if they raise the question as to the adjoining lands, it will scarcely be
within the competence of the Embassy delegates to discuss a matter of that nature. 1 would
suggest that they should come to an arrangement as to Mohammerah, and leave the other
question for subsequent consideration. The proposal to have an Ottoman Vice-Consul at
Mohammerah for tho purpose of delivering ceililicates seems to bo one to which no objection
need betaken.”
374. Meanwhile the Political Resident had made a proposal that a gun­
boat should be sent to Fao to protect the
S«cret E., October 1894, Noi. 178-188.
interests of the British. In view, howover,
of the assurance communicated hy Sir A. Nicolson, tho Government of India
did not think it necessary to take any action on the Resident’s proposa
(roreign Department letter No. 1609-E., dated 14th September 1894, to tho
Resident).