Page 104 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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XII.- Appointment of Mohsin Pasha as Vali of Basrah. Change of
policy inaugurated. Turkish Decoration for Sheikh Mubarak,
1899.
102. In his despatch dated 16th September Mr. Wratislaw reported that
Mubarak had then turned his attention to intrigues with the Nakib of Basrah
and Mohsin Pasha, tho Military Com-
8ccrct E., Scptombcr 1900, Nos. 05—74.
mander, against Uamdi Pasha, the Vali,
which ultimately resulted in tho dismissal of tho latter, and tho promotion
of Mohsin to be Vali of Busrah. This chango took place about tho middle
of the year 1809; Mohsin Pasha professed to be a friend of Sheikh Mubarak. IIo
dropped all the projects of his predecessor Uamdi Pasha—which were
distasteful to the Sheikh—vis ,the appointment of harbour master, the establish­
ment of effective quarantine and of a custom houso, and the extension of the
telegraphic line from Pao to Katif, which would pass through Ivoweit. The
Sheikh on the representation of the Mohsin Pasha pointing out the correctness
of this attitude during recent visits of Russian and British ships—was given by
the Sultan the rank of Mir Miran (Pasha). It was also said that the Turkish
Government had fixed 150 Karas (1 Kara about 1-J tons) of dates as his
yearly subsidy, aud that live years’ allowanco at this rate would bo given him
forthwith.
103. Mohsin Pasha was an astute and bold statesman, and pursued the
clever policy of gaining a hold on the Sheikh by conciliatory moasures and prov­
ing to him that the Porte was his best friend, and thus weaning him from
British influence. Uo cleverly fomented tho hostilities between the Sheikh
and Ibn Rashid and played them one against the other and when they were
about to rush to arms or actually did so, intervened on behalf of the Porte as
mediator and as the price of his mediation, got them to acknowledge them­
selves as vassals and even as slaves of the Sultan.
XIV.—Visit of the German Railway Commission to Koweit and their
scheme to make Katham their Railway’s Terminus. January
1900.
104. In September 1899 Sir N. O’Conor informed the Foreign Office that a
Commission of experts had been appointed
Secret F, January 1900, Nos. 144—145.
by tho Anatolian Railway Company for
surveying tho routo for their projected Bailway from Koweit. to the Persian
Gulf, and for reporting on tho topographical features and commercial prospects
of the country through which the Railway would pass, 'lho Commission
arrived at Constantinople in the early part of September 1899.
Noe. 176- 105. On 6th January 1900 Mr. Wratislaw telegraphed that the German
Railway Commission had arrived at Basrah and was to leavo in a few days foV
Koweit, where they proposed to select a site for a railway terminus, conducting
negotiations not with the Sheikh, but tcilh the Sultan of Turkey.
10G. In reporting this message to the Secretary of State, Uis Excellency
the Viceroy observed in this telegram dated 7th January—
“Such a proceeding would be inconsistent with our claims as regards Koweit, and would
certainly produce local trouble between Sheikh and ourselves, and possibly subsequent friction
with Germany. Would it not be desirable to. inform Germany oL’ our relations with Koweit ?
Any idea of prolonging German railway thither should only he carried out with our consent,
and as part oifpccilic understanding. An arrangement with Turkey over our heads would
stultify recent Koweit Agreement, concluded by orders of Her Majesty's Government, and
our position in the Gulf would be greatly weakened."
107. On 8th January the same news was repeated by the Political Resident
No. 179.
in the Persian Gulf, and again on 9th June he telegraphed :—
“Resident in Turkish Arabia h:is informed mo that he understands I Terr Stcmrich
German Consul-General, leader <*f Baitway Commission, does not consider financial prospect
good, and that Chief Engineer with party states that accomplishment of scheme depends on
acquisition of Koweit. Melvill heard that one of the principal objects of Commission going
t<> Basrah is to ascertain if Mubarak will favour project., and, if so, on what terms, but Stoninc»
told Wratislaw that they arc dealing with Sultan of Turkey aud douetsco how Mu bar a