Page 291 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XIV. 2G1
Dowasir was not. intended to bo a menace to sailing* craft navigating tbo river and that he was
to abstain from all interference with them. Should Major Fagan havo to report that tho
Yali's assurances on the point wero not satisfactory, tho necessary steps for the protection of
British sailing vessels would bo taken by tho Embassy.
434. Sir r. Currio thought that as tho point raised by Captain Whyte was
not mentioned on the iirst iustaucc wo
°‘4,1' could hardly insist on the removal of the
Stationnniro in question os a condition for tho withdrawal of tho British man-
of-war from Fao, but lie proposed that representations should bo mado to the
Porte as described in tho last paragraph of Captain Whyte’s memorandum.
Sir Philip saw therefore no necessity to defor the departure of tho Lapicing
from Pao (Despatch No. 181, dated ISth March 3897, to the Foreign Office).
435. Her Majesty's Government approved of the courso suggested by
Sir P. Currio (India Office letter to the
11 id (No. 23.)
Foreign Office, dated 7th April 1897).
435-A. Mr. Cumming was replaced by Mr. Mungavin, as Superintendent
of the British Telegraph Station at Fao;
Extorsal A., Scplcuibor 1897. Nob. -1&-17.
but in viow of the satisfactory assurances
given by tbo Porte respecting the navigation of tho Shat-cl-Arab, it was decided
not to appoint the latter as Consular Agent at Fao.

(xii). Plague in India and Quarantine arrangements in Turkish
Arabia, 1897-98.
436. Plague baviug broken out at Bombay towards tbo close of the year
1896, we were informed by tbo Political
Secret I., March 18G7, Nos. 87*120.
Besident on 9th October by telegram that
21 days quarantine was imposed of Basrah against arrivals from Bombay.
The Secretory of State telegraphed on
Ibid (No. 97.)
10th January 1897 to us :—
Constantinople Board bas recommended quarantine stations at FaOi and repulse from
Basrah of all Indian vessels with plague cases on board until Fao lazaretto is ready. If you
rogard this measure as injurious, can you make an alternative proposal safeguarding Turkey
from entrance of plague by Basrah route ?
437. Tho viows of Colonel Mocklor were asked. In reply (telegram dated
25th January 1S97) ho roforred to the
Ibid (No. 99.)
previous correspondence on tho subjoct of
the quarantine at Fao, and added:—
“I regard present proposal as fresh attempt to establish a quarantine station at Fao
which would bo detrimental to British trade at Basrah and practically give Turkey command
of the river.
A Turkish lazaretto at Fao would he futile, since a plaj*uc-infcctcd vessel bound for
Mohammerah is not obliged to stop at Fao, and one arriving at Bn6rah with plague on board
if repulsed cannot be mado to leave unless it bo forcibly towed down the river, and must, if
thcro be no lazaretto at Basrah, throw its dead into the river.
A lazaretto for safeguarding entry of plague into Turkish Arabia via Basrah can only
effectively be established above Mohammerah where both banks belong (to) Turkey. Such
might be placed ou either bank or on islands in river, and Turkish authorities must with
their river police provent lauding (of) passengers (on) Turkish banks betwcou Fao and Buch
lazaretto."
439. Tho Government of India wired the purport of this opinion to the
jm (No. loo.). Secretary of State and added
"Please seo Secret Despatch 22-External, dated 30th January 1S95. Lazaretto might be
established abovo Mohannuorah on either bank or on islands. Wo would strongly object to
one at Fao.1'
440. On 21st Jauuary 1897, Sir P. Currio reported that tho Board of
Health at Constantinople at tho sugges­
Internal A., March 1897, Noe. 237*295 (No. 291.)
tion of tho British Delegate had mado
among others a proposal that all ships coming from India would bo examined
before entering the Persian Gulf, at a sanitary station to bo chosen, command­
ing tho cntraucc to the Gulf.
441. As to this proposal the Iudia Office was of opinion that tho tompo-
....... o0o, rary quarantine should ho enforced at the
mouth of tho Gulf against plaguo infected
parts only.
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