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might bo tbo subject of just romonatranoo on tho part of the Turkish Government. In
answer to the Secretary of State's call* for a full
• Telegram, dated 20lh May.
report, tho Government of India referred to their
despatoh of tho 22nd May, and, ponding further instructions, tho Admiralty desired tho officers
in command of Her Majesty's ships in tho Gulf to take no hostile notion within Turkish terri­
tory or its waters without the consent or co-operation of tho Turkish authorities.
419. It was obsorved in paragraph 4 of this noto that Sir J. Paunccfoto’s
lettor, dated 23rd August, dealt also with the subject-matter of two despatches
from the Government of India, Nos. 55 and 77, dated, respectively, 22nd May
and 23rd June.
4*20. Sir J. Pounccfoto intimated that copies of these two despatches
would bo sent to Sir II. Layard, who would he authorized to uso his discretion
as to making further representation to tho Porte, either with regard to the
surrender of Bahrein subjects implicated in the recent raid upon that island,
or respecting the expediency of obtaining compensation for those of tho sufferers
from tho various depredations recorded in whom the British Government were
interested. Sir H. Layard, it appears, had already supported tho application
made by Colonel Nixon on the former of these two points in a tiole verbale,
a copy of which has not been communicated to the Government of India.
421. In a later lettor, dated 22nd September, Sir J. Pauncefote forwarded
copies of further papers received from Sir II. Layard, which show the further
steps taken to compel the Turks to adopt vigorous measures in the Persian Gulf.
Early in September, in consequence of a despatch from the Political Resident
at Baghdad on the increase of piracy in the Gulf, Sir II. Layard addressed tho
following note verbale to the Porto in continuation of provious notes on the
same subject:—
n Her Majesty's Ambassador considers it his duty to communicate to tho Sublime Porto,
and to recommend to its serious consideration the accompanying extracts from a despatch
addressed to him by Her Majesty’s Consul-General at Baghdad, relating to piracy in Turkish
waters in the Persian Gulf.
u The Sublime Porte is, no doubt, aware that the British Government at a great sacrifice
of life and treasure succeeded, after many years, in putting an end to piracy in those waters,
tier Majesty's Government can never permit that British interests and commerce should suffer
by its revival in consequence of their recognition of Turkish jurisdiction over certain parts of the
Arabian coast. It must be quite evident to the Sublime Porte that, if the state of things des­
cribed by tier Majesty's Consul-General be allowed to continue, Her Majesty's Government will
be compelled to take such measures as may be necessary for the protection of British subjects and
shipping in the Persian Gulf.
u R would appear from the reports which have reached Her Majesty’s Embassy, that the
responsibility for this recent revival of piracy mainly rests with Abdulla Pasha, the Governor
of Busreh, who has shown himself indifferent to tho urgent representations made to him on
the subject by the British authorities, and has failed to adopt the means required for suppress-
ing piracy and for punishing those who have been guilty of it.
“ Her Majesty’s Embassy has much satisfaction in admitting that Ahmed Bey, who was
6eot some months ago to command the Turkish squadron in tho Euphrates and the Persian
Gulf, showed an earnest desire to deal with this grave evil.
** R w with much regret that Her Majesty’s Ambassador has beard of his untimely
death. It is to be hoped that his successor will prove equally active and equally determined to
disoharge the duty confided to him, notwithstanding any opposition that he may reccivo from
Abdulla Pasha.. Should, however, the tribes on the Arabian coast over wliioh the Sublime
Porte claims jurisdiction revert to those piratical habits from which they were deterred by the
action of tho British authorities, and should tho safety of British shipping and British subjects
be again endangered by such piratical attacks as arc described in the accompanying documents,
the Porte must alone be responsible for the consequence."
422. It will ho observed that in this note verbale Sir H. Layard admits
that Turkish jurisdiction on certain parts of tho Arabian coast has been re­
cognized ; and he throws tho responsibility for tho further continuance of
piracies upon tho Turkish Government. Apparently it was intended that tho
action of Her Majesty’s Government would he rcstrictod to the measures
necessary for tho protection of British subjects and shipping in tho Gulf.