Page 73 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter IIL G1

with the Arabs everywhere in arms, thoy cannot, detach troops to control tho Kurds. At
Korkela moreover, a state of fueling is being generated; of which the danger cannot be ex-
aggregated, tho troop9 of the garrison whose discipline has becomo much relaxed, whilst tho
attention of tho superior officers has bean taken up with their struggle against the civil power,
have been lately committing gross disorders and when tho Persian inhabitants have complained
to Nejib Pasha of tho violence to which they havo been subjected, and of the outrages, t.lioir
faith has received at tho hands of tho Turkish soldier, Ilia Excellency has plainly told them,
that ho lias no control over tho army, hut that it rests with tho Persians themselves, to pro­
tect their own rights, and interests. IIis Excellency has further taken the extremo steps of !
ordering the Civil Governor to repair to Baghdad, asserting that lie will no longer submit to
responsibility when the means nro denied him, of carrying his measures into execution and a :
most critical position is thus likely to supervene the inhabitants binding themselves together
in self-defence, and tho garrison, in apprehension of a rising, adopting, it is to be foarod a
repressive system of still greater stringency.
That, Nejib Pasha, if not actually instigating an outbreak, would willingly see a collision
which could not fail to throw discredit ou the army. I can havo no doubt whatever, and I
question if the Siraskicr, involved as he is now is the meshes of financial management and in
negotiation with tho Arab tribes, will havo oilher leisure to attend to tho delicate question of
Kerhala, or skill to pacify the irritated Persians while ho disabuses the garrison of their sense
of danger Mr. Aristarchi, at my suggestion, has forcibly pointed out to Nejib Pasha the I
impropriety with reference to the relations with Persia of removing the Civil Governor of
Kerbola, and has warned him that whatever may bo tho consequence, he ah no will be nssurredly
held responsible but His Excellency feeling himself to be now engaged in a contest which must
terminate either in his ruin or in a complete triumph over his military opponents, is not
disposed to attach the samo importance to the affair of Kerbola, viewed ns a mere question of
foreign policy nnd is altogether disinclined to sacrifice to such a consideration, the
opportunity of stnkiug an effective blow against the adversary who has riscu up agaiust him. |
Inclosuro No. 2.

No. 21, datod Baghdad, the *ltli July 1819.
From—Major H. C. Rawunson, Ills Britannio Majesty's Consul at Baghdad,
To—His Escollcncy tho Right Honourable S. Canning, G.C.B., Her Majesty's Ambassador at
Coiistuutinoplo.
I havo the honor to furnish Your Excellency with a brief report of the progress of
affairs at Baghdad since tho date of my last des­
8. C., 27th October 1849, No. 11.
patch.
Tho Seraskicr having concluded definitive arrangement with the Sheikhs of the
Ilindieh. whereby the revenues of the lands in their possession when fixed at 2,000 purses
in excels of the Registry assessment and having placed the general affairs of the districts
and its dependencies, including Kcrbcla, on a footing of comparative security returned last
week to Baghdad. On his arrival he duly reported his proceedings t.o Nejil Pasha, and
naturally took some credit to himself for having not only terminated without bloodshed a
movement which threatened at one timo the most serious consequences, but for having also
augmented very considerably the legitimate proceeds of the Government, but bo found
to his surprise, that his services were by no means appreciated b}' the Civil Governor.
The written engagements of tho Sheikhs of tho Hindich to furnish 2,000 purees of surplus
revenue, were regarded by Nijib Pasha as so much waste paper notwithstanding that the
Surnskier offered his personal guarantee for tho realization of the amount and Ilis Excellency
again insisted either that Sheikh TVadee should bo restored to a position of irresponsible
power and should receive the full support of the military authorities in coercing the insurgent
tribes or that the Seraskicr should accept a liability for all defalcations of revenue that
might possibly arise from the Arab outbreak and which His Excellency roundly calculated at
from 15,000 to 20,000 purses.
The Seraskicr finding His Excellency to be thus impracticable in personal intercourse and
knowing that the whole question between them must sooner or later be submitted under
authority to a rigid scrutiny, then resumed his official correspondence. Ho stated in writiug
tho various arrangements ho had made, the grounds upon which those arrangements rested,
the results that might be expected to ensue from them and the subsidiary measures which
were necessary to complete his plan of pacification and he concluded by inviting Nejib Pasha
to lay aside all personal animosity and to codperato with him cordially for the advancement
of tho interests of their common sovereign.
I shall not pretend to follow the details of the correspondence which has siuce passed
and between these high functionaries and which is Baid to have been characterized as much
by extraordinary pretontion and violence upon ouo side as by moderation and good sense upon
tho other, nor do I think it necessary to describe a scene which occurred at the Palace upon
Sunday when the Seraskicr accompanied by Dervish Pasha in the capacity of mediator, again
visited tho Governor and when the intemperate language and demeanour of tho latter obliged
the military officers to retire abruptly without even entering upon the business which thoy
intended to discuss, but I may mention that tho Scraskier has at length so far carried his
point as to have obtained a peremptory summons for Sheikh Wadee who has hithorlo on ono