Page 289 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XIV. 259
422. Meanwhile the Porto had instructed Tlamdi Pasha (Vali of Basrah)
to disregard all British remonstrances and
External A., August 1895, No*. 67*09 (No. 04).
to direct his subordinates at the mouth
of the Shat-cl-Arab to continue to stop and inspect all vessels entering that
river, whatever he their nationality and destination and although they might
at no time come within Turkish jurisdiction (Captain Whyte’s letter to the
Resident at Baghdad, No. 320, dated 10th May 1890).

(xi) (1) Appointment of Consul at Fao; (2) despatch of man-of-war
Fao ; (3) their withdrawal, 1896-97.
423. As regards the proposed appointment of Consul at Fao, the Foreign
Office found objections to the proposed
Secret E., July 189C, No*. 69-G6.
method of remunerating him from Con­
sular fees received on deposit of Shah's papers, from craft visiting the Shat-cl-
Arab. Her Majesty’s Government decided therefore to assign an allowance of
£30 a year to the post (Colonel Mockler's letter No. 68, dated 6th February
1896, with enclosures),
424. Mr. Mungavin was appointed Consular Agent at Fao by a “ letter of
External A., Auguit 18%, No». 299-297. authority ” issued by the Political Resident
Extoroal A., October 1891, Nos. 2o*2r>. (No. 413, dated 20th August 1896)
External A., February 1897, Nos. 1G-24.
But the Porte objected to the creation
of a Consular appointment at the place, whore only one English and one
Turkish Telegraphic clerk reside.
425. As regards this objection Mr. Herbert suggested to Lord Salisbury
(letter dated lltli September 1896) :—
Hid (No. 1G).
“ I venture to submit to Your Lordship that the only reply likely to produce any p Tactical
effects would bo to slate that Her Majesty's Government consider the presence of a C Consular
Officer nt Fao desirable on account of the large number of craft under the British flag which
require protection there or in the neighbourhood. IE the Sublime Porte will not assent to
this reasonable and conciliatory request, Her Majesty’s Government will have to devise other
means for affording the prelection required, aud will send a mau-of-war to visit - Fao and the
Shat-el-Arab for this purpose.”
426. With reference to this despatch Lord Salisbury telegraphed to Sir F.
Currie on lltli September 1S9G :—
“ In the event of the Turkish Government refusing to recognize the appointment, I autho­
rize Your Exccllenoy to make the communication proposed by Mr. Herbert ”.
427. On 7th October Sir P. Currie received the following telegram from
the Consul at Basrah :—
Consul-General, Baghdad, directs me to inform Your Excellency that British Vice-
Consul at Mohammerah reports that Na Khoudas of British Indian sailing vessels bound
for that place formerly complained on arrival that they had beon intimidated and forced by
Turkish authorities to put in at Fao, and that although they were not bound for Turkish Port,
quarantine dues were exacted from them. I represented matter to Vali, who replied that he
was directed by Porte to cause all sailing vessels without exception, eutoring river, to be
stopped and examined, and that if Mudirof Fao had stopped British Indian vessels bound for
Mohammerah, he bad only obeyed his orders. In view of this reply, the delay of Porta in
recognising Consular Agent at Fao and approval of my contention on question of Turkish
jurisdiction in Shat-cl-Arab, conveyed in Your Excellency's despatch to Consulate-General,
Baghdad, dated 2nd March 1S96, I have proceeded to Fao, where I await Your Excellency's
instructions,”
428. This telegram was ropoatecl to the Foreign Office on 7th October
1896, and on tho same day Sir P. Currie wired to the Foreign Office :—
u The moment 6cems to have come for despatching a shin to Fao. Acting on the author-
.... #v« mi ity conveyed in ifour Lordship’s tclogram No.
' ' 191-1., addressed a note to tho Porto on Septem­
ber 22nd saying that a man-of-war would bo sent to Fao if Consular Agent was not recognized,
but no reply has been received. If Your Lordship would authorize me to inform Porto that
ship has been ordered to Fao, I might probably bo able to settle tho matter at once.
429. Tho Lapwing was accordingly ordered to Fao and this intelligence
was communicated to Sir P, Currio. This ship arrived at Fao on tho 23rd
October 1896.