Page 62 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

40 Part I.

Translation of a letter from 1/it Excellency Midhut Pasha, Governor-General of Turkish
Arabia, to Her Britannic Majesty’s Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, dated Baghdad
5th Safer J2SG, 6th Mais 1235,17th May 1869.
As tho Walayct aystoni has been founded and enforced in all other provinces in tho
Turkish dominions, the Baghdad Provinco is likowiso now reformed on tho 6am e 6y6tcm;
consequently, the mode of administration has been altered in order to facilitate affairs that may
occur, I deem it necessary to explain the mode of such administration. Baghdad Walayct is
divided into nine different subordinate Governments (Mulescridik). Tho Baghdad Provinco
(Sinjak) is counted as one of theso subordinate Governments (Mulcseriflik). This place being
assigned at head-quarters of the Walayct, thoreforo tho separnto Offices of Secretariat
(Maaoonlik) and Agency (Mudcerlik) for Foreign Affairs havo been established for conducting
the business of Government.
In transacting the important affairs of tho subjeots of your Government in other provinces
(Sinjak), whonever anything may occur requiring nclMoment, it must bo conducted in the
same manner as is carried on here. In order to i'acilitnto tho business, it is necessary that the
6ame should bo communicated for settlement to tho Lieutenant-Governor (Muteserif) on tho
6pot; and in casa tho affair uot being arranged on the spot, it may bo referred to the head­
quarters of the Walayct. In conducting business of your subjects with the Government, the
affairs, or tho claim, shall bo represented by an official communication, as the case may
require, either to tho Sub-Government (Mutesoriflik) or Agency (Mudcerlik) for Foreign
Affairs, and, if neocssary, it may bo communicated directly to myself, aud, in my absence, to
the Secretariat (Maaoonlik).
110. A brief summary of the schemes Midhut Pasha carried out is given
on page 82 of the Gazetteer in Baghdad is quoted below :—
*' When Midhat Pasha was Governor-General of Baghdad lie did a great deal for the
provinco. In Baghdad itself, among other in.-titutions, he founded an industrial school, combin­
ed with an orphan asylum conducted in strictly military fashion, which is so great a desidera­
tum in the east. To him is duo the lighting up, by means of tho petroleum lamps, of the
bazar, of some adjoining streets, and of tho bridges. He wished to establish communication
with Aloppo by tho Euphrates, and built forte at Ana, Rumndi, etc., to protect the road.
He ordered steamers to navigate the Euphrates, but on arrival they were found to be unsuited
for their work. He introduced tho tramway into Baghdad, which is still running. Some of
his other schemes wero not so successful. One was to benefit tho country by constructing a
canal from tho Euphrates to irrigato tho surrounding country, Owing to the wholo force of
the jvater of the river rushing into tho new chanuel, tho country round Baghdad was converted
into a pestilential marsh."
Dismissal of Hamdi Dasha and succession of Mohsin Pasha as Vqli of
Basrah, 1900.

111. The following account of the circumstances that led to the dismissal
of Hamdi Pasha, who has been one of tho most distinguished Pashas of Basrah,
will be read with interest (Mr. Wratislaw’s letter dated 21th January 1900).
*' I have the honour to confirm my telegram No. 16 of tho 19th instant, reporting the
dismissal of Hamdi Pasha from tho post of Wali
External B., aj co, o. . . of Basrah. Ever since Hamdi's reappointment in
April last, tho Nakib of Basrah, who is His Lordship's peisonal enemy and procured his
dismissal before, has been working to effect his downfall. The first step the Nakib took was to
send his son, Seyid Talib, to represent bis interests at Constantinople. His second was to join
forces with Sheikh Mubarak of Koweit, who has also reason to dislike and fear Hamdi. And
the final move was to set up a rival to the Wali iu the persi n of Mohsin Pasha, the Military
Commandant here, who was no friend to Hamdi and coveted his post. 1 also believe Mohsin
to have been bought by Mubarak.
Last September when Mubarak turned away tho official sent to act as Harbour Master at
Koweit, be telegraphed to the Sultan that he was ready to carry out all His Majesty's orders
conveyed to him direct, but he would not recognise them when transmitted through Hamdi;
oQd in consequence Mohsin (doubtless at Thalib's suggestion) was appointed to act jointly with
tho Wali in all matters concerning Koweit. Ever since then, the Sultan would seem to have
become more and more uneasy about affairs on the Arabian Coast, and his fears have been
/ sedulously worked on by the Nakib's son and othpr supporlers at Constantinople. They have
assured him that Mubarak's refractory attitude is duo solely to the hostility manifested him by
Hamdi, and, were the latter dismissed and Mohsin appointed in his stead, Alubarak would be
/ as submissive as could be desired and would even pay a visit to Basrah to talk ovor matters
and arrive at ■.ttlcracnt for tho future. How far Mubarak was a consenting party to tho.-e
promises, I am unable to say. Ho probably know they were made on his Lohalf, but tI can
hardly think be would bo 60 foolish as to vonturo to come to Ba-ruh.