Page 348 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

316 Part IV.

179. Meantimo tlio Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company soli­
cited Her Majesty's Government to mo vo
Political A.. December 1880, No*. 01*C9.
tlio Porto to afford reparation for what
had been done, and they hinted that tho Turks had probably been a party
to tho attack. Thoy observed that, unloss tho instigators of the outrage
wore promptly punished, other attacks on tho sloauicrs would ho imminent,
an d they said that their Agent at Baghdad had been instructed to givo formal
notice to tho Vali of their infontion to putin a claim for compeusaiion. Her
Majesty’s Ambassador at tho Porlo did not omit to press on tho Ottoman
authorities the right of England to demand active operations on tho former’s
part in pursuing and capturing the perpetrators, and pointed out that, unless
this wore done, the safe navigation of tho river could not he assured.
180. Repented report oamo in, however, of tho unsatisfactory manner in
which the proceedings against Sheikh Soyliud had been directed, and tho Consul-
General at Baghdad" continued to urge tho need of more stringent measures.
Meanwhilo a report was current that one llaji Mutair, one of the party who had
attacked tho Khali fall, had been approhended, and Colonel Miles lost no time in
requesting the Vali to inform him what
Political A., December I860, No*. 70-82.
punishment would he inflicted on the man,
and what accounts ho had giveu of the
Political A., January 1881. No. 181.
circumstance.
181. The Vali replied that tlio news of tho man's capturo was correct, and
that he had been interrogated and would he sent beforo the Criminal Branch
Court of the Istinaf, whoro due punishment would be awarded. He romarked
that prompt steps had bceu taken for the capture of Sayad and the security
of the Tigris; hut that if tho Sheikh escaped to Persia, as others had done,
there would bo great difficulty and delay in capturing him.
182. But tho Vali was believed to be timid and disinclined to authorise
any coercive measures, preferring to let
Political A.. December 1SS0, No. 82.
matters take their course, while tho
country through which the Tigris traversos, was by no means in a tranquil
slate. Indeed another disturbance oc­
Political A., Janutry 1891, No*. 127-140 and
160.1C6. curred on the hanks adjacent to the spot
where tho Khalifah had been surprised, which, though no harm was done to
any steamer, showed how unsafe the locality was. It seems that, while tho
S.S. JBlosse Lynch was passing down the Tigris, some scullling was observed
amongst a crowd of Arabs collected on the banks. The steamer was accom­
panied by its escort, which the Commander ordered to preparo for action, but
no assault was necessary, as tho Arabs seemed only to be ongaged in Borne
internal quarrel.
183. Subsequently the Turkish authorities decided to withdraw tho escort
stoamcr which they had provided for tho
Political A., March 1681, No*. 26-3G (No. 34).
Tigris; but the Consul-General begged tlio
Vali to issue stringent orders for its retention.
184. On the 8th February 1881 a report of another disturbance in tho
Montcfik country was made by tho Consul
Political A., March 1881. No. 86.
at Basrah in the following memorandum :—
M A fight has occurred betwoen the Ilassawccs and Myadali of Sook-el-Shior.k between
whom there is a chronic feud. The Acting Mutasscrif nfc Nascriyah has rcporicd this to the
Wall of Baghdad as a serious matter from which further disturbances may easily arise. Falih
Pasha has reported the affair as of no importance, and states that he has sent his son, Thamir
Boy, to Sook-el-Shiook to maintain order. The Wali has, however, despatched two battalions
of *xoops to Naseriyah by the 6tcamcr Mount. Thoy left yesterday, and will proceed from
Knt-el-Amarah by the Shat al Hay. There is a had feeling between the soldiery and the
Montcfik, in consequence of tho occurrence of last year, and acts of oppression by the troops
and resistance from the Arabs may be expected. * * * * * * In des­
patching troops to the Montefik at present, the Wali has acted without consulting the Coun­
cil, and tho measure is regarded as rash and ill-advised under existing circumstance!.”
185. To revert to tho case of the Khalifah, the next report was that
sentence of death had been passed on Haji
Political a„ April 1881, No*, iso-lei, «ud May Mutair for his share in the attack, and it
1881, No*. 460-69.
was declared by tho Porte that orders bad
bpen repeated to the Vali of Baghdad to continue measures for the arrest and