Page 349 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XX. 317
puni9liraont of others concerned in the affray. Tho Porto, howover, said tliat the
accounts received by thorn of the events connected with tho affair differed from
the information furnished to Her Majesty’s Embassy ; but on Mr. Gosclicn re­
ferring tho statement to tho Consul-General at Baghdad, lie repudiated the
charge of having furnished incorrect accounts, and lfer Majesty’s Ambassador
referred tho matter again to the Porto with an earnest request that imraediato
steps should be taken to capture and punish tho authors of tho outrage in ques­
tion.

18C. This was in October 1881, hut nothing further in tho capture of
tho offenders was accomplished by the
• A., Political t\, May 1SS3, Noi. 72-78.
Turks; and in his despatch of 4th* April
1883, regarding the disturbed state of the country through which the Tigris
runs, and the anticipated attack on ono of tho Euphrates and Tigris Steam
Navigation Company’s steamers by Arabs, the Xlcsidout said that—
“ Haji Mootair, though sentenced to death so long ago as February 1881, * * *
* * Las not yot been executed.”

He added—
"Another thing I believe to bo equally certain is that Sheikh Seyhood 60 far from being
a fugitive beyond the Ottoman border, still holds his ground in the marshy district near
Amarah, and that the local Government, instead of coercion, think now only of conciliation
towards him. Last February, it is said, lie was offered by the Governor of Amarah a profitable
farm, or holding, on condition of his appearing personally. This lie was too distrustful to
do, and it is understood, though I cannot of course verify tho statement, that the holding was
given to his son. * * * * ”

187. The Turks, however, in reply to a note verbale from Her Majesty’s
Ambassador, denied that Seyhood was in
A., Political E., May 1SS3. No. 73.
full enjoymeut of his liberty and property,
but that he was being vigorously pursued by the local authorities who were
confident that his capture would he speedily effected; further, that the execution
of Ilaji Mutair, Scy hood’s accomplice, would he duly carried out as soon as the
Court of Appeal at Constantinople shall have pronounced its decision.
188. Her Majesty’s Ambassador had also called attention to tho insecurity
of navigation on tho Tigris, and remonstrated against the discontinuance of the
practice of escorting British steamers; hut the Yali of Baghdad’s report had
maintained—
"that the safety of the river leaves nothing to be desired ; that, moreover, guard-houses
are being built on the most important points on tbe river; and that until they are completed,
British steamers will continue to he provided with the usual escort."
189. The next report of tho matter showed that the Turkish Minister for
Foreign Affairs had addressed a note to
t For weak ending 2Gth May 18S3. Her Majesty’s Charge U’Affairos on the
18th April last, stating, with reference to
some representations made by the latter, that orders had been issued for the
discovery and punishment of the people who attacked the Khalifa. A reference
is made to a telegram from Colonel Tweedie, which apparently stated that
Turkish Arabia was insocuro and asked for a British man-of-war.
190. Tho Minister insinuated that this statement was deliberately wrong;
that nothing of importance had occurred ; and that the Turkish Government
would take their own measures for ensuring tho safety of everybody.

191. Briefly stated, tho history of the case is that iu 18S0 a British steamer
was attacked by Arabs in Turkish dominions, when two British subjects were
killed and two Turkish subjects wounded, and that no proper reparation was
afforded; ono of tho offenders was sentenced to death, hut was not oxocutcd.

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