Page 94 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CHAPTER IX.
(1) Desire of Sheikh Khazal to place himself under British protec­
tion-
(2) Interference of Belgian customs administration in Mohammerah
customs and British intervention, 1898—1904.

(•) Shoikh Kkazal seeks British protection.
202. In November 1808 Shoikh Khazal expressed liis desiro to Mr.
McDouall to be placed under the British
Secret E., Maroh 1899, Noe. 257-2C0.
protection. Colonel Meade visited the
8heikh soon after and gatbored from him that ho was apprehensive of the
early downfall of tlio Persian monarchy to be followed by a goncral scramble
for the division of the Kingdom, in which ovont ho was anxious to throw in his
lot with the British. In case the British did not rccoivc him undor their wings,
the Turks wore likely to capture Mohammerah.
The late Sheikh Mizal, who was assassinated in 1897, was favourably
inclined towards the Turks, and was moreover secretly opposed to the British
enterprise on the Karun,. whereas the pro-British proclivities of Sheikh
Khazal wore well known and he had done much to advance British interests.
Colonel Meade was thereforo thought, that we ought to have a secret understand­
ing with the Shoikh. Tho Sheikh’s confidential Agent Itais-ul-Tujar wished
also to negotiate for a loan from the Imperial Bank. Colonel Meade sounded
the Banks’ Agent at Bushire, without, however, getting anything definite from
him.
253. Lord Curzon’s Government thought that “ although the interests of
Great Britain in the Persian Gulf and the south of Persia are such as to
render it unlikely that toe shall admit there of the intrusion of any foreign in-
fluence or intrigue, it is impossible to give any assurance of the kind asked for,
seeing that Mohammerah is a part of the Persian dominions.” The question
moreover was not one for the Government of India to deal with. Colonel
Meade was told thereforo to wait for the advice of Sir Mortimer Durand, to
whom he had already written.
254. After consulting Sir Mortimer Durand, Colonel Meade told tho Chief
that as he is a Persian subject, the British
8ecrot E.( February 1900.
Government could not promise to support
him against his own Government, nor in the event of the break up of the
Persian Government, could we guarantee his independence not in fact say
what would happen, as the Government of India had not decided upon any
course in such a contingency ; but that as tho Sheikh is the most influential
Chief in that part of Persia, we wish to see him strong and tho Arabs united
under bis authority ; and that he could rest assured of the support and advice
of the British Minister at Teheran so far as this could be done without bad
faith towards tho Persian Government; while the British Government trusted
that in return the Sheikh would do all in his power to advance our trado
interests.

(*•) (1) Proposed establishment of Persian Customs at Mohammerah. (2) Sheikh
Khazal’s appeal for British protection, 1900-1904.
256. We have noted above* how the Arab Chiefs in Arabistan enjoyed con­
siderable autonomy in tho iuternal administration of their districts^provid­
ed they paid their revenue (tho diwan and pishkash) fixed by the Shah 8 Gov-
ernment. This was especially tho case with the chief of Mohammerah, though
attempts had been made more than once to introduce the Persian rule m his
districts. There was now made a move with a view to introduce the Persian
Customs administration at Mohammerah under tho control of Belgian oflioials,
which threatened considerably to interfere with the independent revenue
rights, which tho Arabs of tho district had enjoyed from time immemorial.
* Sco port. 6 above.