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Wo have no information if the Sheikh omitted to lend hia boats to the local Customs
officers as provided in tho arrangement, but, if he did not, the presence in his jurisdiction of
outside Cuatom9 vessels appears to require explanation, more especially as his approval is re­
quired to the appointment of such officers."
287. This telegram was repeated to Captain Cox, and it was ascertained
from tho Consul at Mohammerah that Sheikh had never refused to lend his
steam boats to tho local Customs official (Captain Trevor’s telogram, dated 30lh
September 190A.)
288 Mr. E. Grant Duff (Charge d’ACfaires at Tehran) telegraphed in reply
to our telegram of 21st September :—
" The Direotor of Customs stales that the steamer Mueafferi has been 6cnt to confiscate
arms at ^usbah. I am pointing out to him that Mohammorah Customs arc not under the
orders of the Busliiro or tho Arabistun Customs and that tho despatch of the steamer without
apparently consulting the Sheikh of Mohammerah was unjustifiable and likely to lead to mis­
understanding.
The Persian Government do not know that we are awaro of their written agreoment with
the Sheikh (please sec Sir A. Haidingo's despatch No. 167, dated the 6th December 19U2)."
289. In regard to the way-laying of boats bound for Basrah, Captain
Trevor tolegraphed on 3rd October from Busbire:—
" His Majesty's Consul at Basrah reports that the acting Vali has protested through tho
Penian Consul-General at Basrah to the Persian Government against the gun-boat stopping
and searching vessels hound for Basrah and that ho has telegraphed to the Minister of the In­
terior on the subject."
290. At present apparently the Belgian authorities have withdrawn the
boats from the Shat-cl-Arab, though it is not improbable they will repeat their
feats on the river before long.

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