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to have secretly embroiled himself. The origin of tlioso disturbances was ex­
plained by Mr. Wrutislaw in his despatch, dated November 21, 190 J, to Sir
O’Conor:—
M Sadun Pa'lm and his follon-ors, whoso wanderings arn generally confined to the marshes No. 30 of Secret K.,
west of the Euphrates, wished to cross into tho Jczirch, that is, t lu* country between tho Auirunt 1901. hot.
28G-373.
Euphrates and the Tigris, in ord»r to pastme their Hocks. Their passage was opposed by tho
tribes there resident, who feared his extortion, and cmplaincd to the Vali of his action. Ilia
Excellency wrote to remonstrate with Sadun, but the latter paid no nttontion and effected a
crossing. IIo then began to oppress and blackmuil the smaller tribes, renewing, among other
things, claims for blood money, based on old feuds of over forty ycais' standing. The Jczirch
tribos lost patience and appealed to tho Turkish authorities, and a certain Colonel Agassi, a
Kurd, was despatched from Samawa to smooth matters over. He soems to have been a hot­
headed tactless man, and appeared on the scene at Shatra with some fifty soldiers and gen­
darmes, and several officers. A heated conversation with Sadun Pasha developed into a brawl,
and mo^t of Colonel Agassi's part y, including himself, wore massacred, after which Sadun Pasha
took flight. Me is said to be still in the Jczirch with Mahomed Dauliestani at his heels, but
tho latter is un'able to circumvent him without cavalry, of which the Turks are very 6hurt.
The Vali tells me that Sadun Pasha is an extortionate, grasping individual,.who wants to
make a fortuuo hy violent means. The Montetik are divided into two factions, those for and
against him. His partisans consist of all the bad elements of the trines, and his opponents are
the well-ordered, peace-loving denizens of the Jezirch, who would gladly be rid of him if his
demands were less exacting. The affair causes gicat unrest in that part of the province, aud
tho Vali seemed perplexed as to the issue.”
327. Mr. Crow reported on 16th Novombor 1903 that Sadun Pasha had No-388*
returned to his property at Sakharich, a place near tho Euphrates between
Nassiriyeli and Kamisich and had telegraphed to Constantinople, throwing all
blame on Colonol Agassi, who was killed in the action.
323. In December ho was reported to be at Jehara near Koweit, and General No. 301.
Mahomed Pasha Daghestaui to he at Zobeir, with 1,200 Turkish troops, watch­
ing his movements and on the look-out to capture him. The local authorities
were inclined to believe that Sheikh Mubarak was at the bottom of tho distur­
bances, but Sir N. O’Conor thought that this was unlikely, as the Sheikh and
Sadun had not been on friendly terms at tho time. Colonel Kemball (see his No. 287.
lettor No. 8, January 1901), visited tho Sheikh in January 1901 in company
with Mr. Crow'(Acting Consul at Basrah). Thoy were informed hy him that
Sadun wos 36 miles from Koweit and had applied to him for help, but that he
refused, since, in tho Sheikh’s opinion, Sadun had acted foolishly in getting him­
self into trouble with the Turks. Tho Sheikh was warned by Colonel Kemball
nut to involve himself in any icay with the matter in hand between the Turks
and Sadun, No. 249.
329. During an interview Mr. Crow had with the Vali of Basrah, on 26th
January 1901 the latter urged that the fact that the Sheikh had allowed Sadun
to take refuge at. Jehara, within his territory, showed clearly that he had offered
protection to S idun, and that he ought to take him and hand him over to the
Turkish Government, to prove that he was not his ally in the recent distur­
bances. Mr. Crow pointed out that this would he a serious breach of, the laws
of Arab hospitality.
330. Sadun had, however, at this time left Johara, and had offerod to lay
down his arms on condition of Imperial pardon. Mr. Crow thought that this
would probably he granted. If, however, the Turks tried to corner him, it was
feared ho would slip to Jehara, and his presence there would he a source of
irritation to tho Turks.
331. On February 3rd tho Secretary of State telegraphed—
No.
“Sir N. O’Conor reports that, the Sheikh of Koweit is in all probability abetting Sadun
Pasha and i? likely to he involved with him in raids on tribes under the protection of Turke.
Early opportunity should bo taken by Coloni-l Kemball of warning him once more that the
good offices of Ills Majesty's Government cau only bo extended to bira, if he refrains from
aggreabion aud is guided by their advice.”
332. In reply, the Viceroy reported by telegraph, dated 11th February, the No. 298.
aotion taken by Colonel Kemball and Mr. Crow as reported in his letter of 8th
January in warning tho Sheikh.