Page 305 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XV. 275
484. Again in 1900 tho Consul at Basrah ashed for tho proscnco of a gun­
boat in tho Shat-el-Arab and tho Tied*
8ccrcl E., Octobor 1000, No. 174.
hr oast was despatched. There were appa­
rently no piracies of a notable character.in the years 1898,189y and 1900. This
fact was attributed to the presence of the British gunboats in the river during
tho date season.—(Mr. Shipley’s letter dated 28th August 1900.)
486. In 1901 tho Consul at Basrah asked for tho despatch of gunboat as in
tho previous years. On the 31st August
Secret E., November 1901, No*. 92—94.
the Commander-in-chief, East India, tele-
graphed to tho Admiralty to say—
" Hcdhreatf will be ready shortly for Shat-el-Arab if difficulties with Turkey permit
her to proceed there/'
486. But the gunboat docs not appear to have been sent, and wo had a re­
petition of piracies at the close of the year
Secret E., May 1902, No*. 8-9.
1901. Colonel Kcmball in his letter No.
31, dated 17th February 1902, reported that tho Vali of Basrah had been in com­
munication with the Sheikh Kazal, with a view to take joint action to hunt tho
pirates. It was supposed that the culprits resided at Faddaghiyeh and the Vali
proposed to arrest them, while Sheikh Kazal was asked to arrest them if they
escaped across the river. This the Sheikh promised to do. Colonel Kcmball
added—
“ Mr. McDuall thinks that Sheikh Kazal does not counteuancc piracies as his predeces­
sors did, which fact is known to the Arabs, and that his system of patrol has for that reason
apparently put a stop to piracies in the river. The Sheikh, however, seems to think that, to
prevent piracies at the bar, it is necessary for a gunboat to be stationed there during the
date export season, as it is too far for his patrol heliums to be of any use.”
487. As a matter of fact, no arrests were made and there was practically no
co-operation whatever between the Vali and
Secret E, November 1902, No* 105-144.
Sheikh Kazal, except correspondence.
In these circumstances Colonel Kcmball requested Captaiu Kemp, Commander
and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf, to visit the Shat-el-Arab in his ship
the Sphinx and ascertain and report about tho piracies and tho measures taken
for tracing the pirates in the recent cases and fur future protection of the river.
Commaudcr Kemp reported very un­
Ibid (Enclosure 1., Pro. No. 129).
favourably on these matters and made the
following suggestions in his letter to the Commaudcr-iu-Chicf dated 20th
June 1902:—
" (a) That a proper number of patrol boats should be kept constantly moving in the
river, and that a sufficient number of efficient police posts should be maintained
on tho banks.
(6) That proper measures should be taken to restrict the possession of arras and
ammunition in the villages on the banks.
(c) That on the receipt of news of a piracy having been committed, such villages
and huts us may reasonably be expected to harbour stolen proporty should be
searched.
(rf) That all craft on the rivor should be regularly registered and licensed, and that
strict watch should bo kept on their movements.
(«) That an officer of sufficient rank should be placed at tho head of the river police,
who should be responsible for what happoned on his side of the river.
(/) That an understanding should bo arrived at between the Persian and Turkish
authorities to co-operato with each other in suppressing piracy, rather than
making each other an excuse for doing nothing, as is their custom at present.”
488. The Vali brought down a small steamer from the Tigris to patrol the
Shat-el-Arab, but it broke down. In a
Ibid (No. 132).
note verbale dated 9th July the Porto
denied that piratical attacks were frequent, but stated that two steamers would
be sent to keep peace and prevent smuggling (Mr. de Bunsen’s telegram to the
Foreign Office, dated 12th July 1902).