Page 97 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

81
distinct from the land tax), it is proposed to pay to the Sheikh in return for tho surrender by
him of tho Customs a sum of 30,000 tomans yearly, and in addition to bestow upon him a
pentioo of 12,000 or 15,000 tomaus in lieu of the exemption from duty of his own produce.
My opinion, which is confirmed by Mr, McDouall, who had recently interviewed the
Sheikh on tho subject, is that the Sheikh’s position at Mohammerah is such that it is impos­
sible for him to consent to tho assumption by tho Persians of the management of the Customs
at Mohammerah ond on tho Karun. lie does not attach auy importance to his own pecu­
niary interest in the matter, as he is aware that tho Persian Government will bo willing to
recoup him for any loss which ho may sustain, but he says that tho Arab tribes who acknow­
ledge his control will not tamely submit to the surrender of their time-honoured rights and
privileges, and that trouble will undoubtedly ensue if the Persians lake the management of
the Customs into their own hands.
AI. Simais, with whom I have discussed the matter does not share this view.
lie believes that ho can effect the change without any trouble *, and I believe that the
Persian Government is fully determiued to iutroduce the reforms without much further delay.”
268. In December 1901, it was reported that Pririco Salar-ed-Dowleh,
Governor General of Arabistan intended
Sccrtt E., April 1902, Nos. 107-138.
to pay a visit to Arabistan, Sheikh
Khazal felt great alarm on this projected visit. He fearod that it forehadod
no good to him, and he gave out that the Arabs were by no moans inclined
to welcome him at that juncture, since they had heard of the schemes of tho
Persian Government to tamper with their time-honoured rights as to customs,
and that there would surely he a rising among them, which would lead to
serious consequences.
The Sheikh was determined therefore to prevent the Prince’s visit. The
Sheikh requested that the British would move iu tho matter since disturbance
in Arabistan would effect their commercial interests, or that thoy should
act as intermediary between the Arabs and the Persian Government.
269. Sir A. Ilardinge thought the danger of an Arab rising was merely
pretext put forward by the Sheikh for his personal purposes, and as the Prince
had already received hints from the Sheikli, as the latter reported, there was
no necessity for the British Legation to take auy action. As a matter of fact
the Prince did not move beyond Shuster.
270. In March 1902, the Russian Legation addressed a protest to tho Persian
Government against the irregularities at tho time existing in the collection of
customs at Mohammerah and demanded, iu the interests of uniformity and with
a view to fair and equal treatment of importers of all nations, that a proper
Secr.t E., May 1903. |Nos. 63-55. Proceeding Customs administration sllOuld be GStab-
No- m lished without further delay at that port.
The Sheikh sent an envoy to Tehran to effect a settlement, and oonsulfed the
British Minister about tho objection ho entertained to accepting a Belgian
customs official at Mohammerah, in whom ho very naturally saw a tool of
Russia and tho thin end of the wedge for the destruction of Arab autonomy.
Secret E., Augnit 1902, Noe. 91-94, Proceeding linally, in May 1902, tllG Slicikll’s
No. 1*3. Agent arranged an agreement with the
Persian Government which bound him to accept a Persian custom-house at
Mohammerah, with a Belgian assistant, hut recognized the Sheikh as head of
the customs. This written agreement was
Enclojure 4 in Secrot E.,‘ December 1902, Nos.
12M80, Proceeding No. 121. seen iu tho original by Mr. Grahame at
no6C340 E’’ Jun° 19°3,Ko"* 337’356*.Proceeding tho British Legation, hut its existenoe was
denied by the Grand Vizier in December
1902. The Agent continued to urge that His Majesty’s. Government should
give the Sheikh an assurance of protection similar to that accord to tho Sheikh
Mubarak of Koweit, explaining that he was not afraid of the Persian Govern­
ment, but that he wished, in view of the possible break-up of Persia at no
distant date, to feel that the position of the Mohammerah Arabs was secured.
271. On the 17th September 1902, Mr. des Graz, acting on instructions from
Eoelowro l In Secret E., December 1902, Nos. Lord Lansdowne, addressed tile Musllir-
120-130, Proccoding No. 121.
ed-Dowleh, saying that His Majesty’s
Government had heard of an agreement having been concluded] Between fhe
Persian Government and tho Sheikh of Mohammerah respecting tho establish­
ment of oustoms, and after reminding him of the various promises mado by tho