Page 308 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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42f>. The result was that Sir II. A. Layard was informed that the existing
state of affairs could not bo allowed to continue, and that the Turkish Govern”
meat must be called upon co-operate for the suppression of piracy. Her
Majesty’s Government proposed for this purpose Mint the commanders
of Ilor Majesty's ships, charged with the duty of keeping the police of the
Persian Gulf, while they would bo instructed to pursue their operations, as far
as possible, outside tbo territorial waters of the Arabian mainland north of
Odeid, should also have authority to pursue and capture piratical vessels within
the three-mile limit on that part of the coast, whenever this course of proceed­
ing might seem indispensable to tbo attainment of their object. It would be
understood that in tbo caso of any Turkish vessels of war being within reach,
the British cruizcr would not act without inviting the co-operation of its com­
mander, and leaving to him, if he desired it, the principal share in the operations,
and further that whenever practicable, the previous consent of any Turkish
Governor or similar official on tbo. mainland immediately adjacent would be
solicited. In either case any prizes mado within recognized Turkish limit would
be dealt with according to the wishes of the Turkish authorities. Sir II. Layard
was directed to ascertain whether such an arrangement would be accepted by
the Sultan’s Ministry.
427. In a more confidential communication, Sir II. Layard was instructed
that, wherever the Turkish authority was at the time actually and firmly estab­
lished upon the coast, Her Majesty's Government were ready to recognize it,
and would be glad to see it accompanied by a regular and civilized administra­
tion, Further as regards Alaskat, Bahrein, and the possessiotis of the Trucial
Chiefs on the coast between Odeid and JRas-el-Khyma inclusive, Her Majesty's
Government, while they considered it unnecessary to seek for any formal
declaration from the Porte, renouncing all claims of sovereignty over those
territories, were in no way disposed to recede from their repeated denial of
these claims, and considered themselves bound by their treaty engagements
with the several Chiefs to resist any attempt, whether direct or indirect to give
them practical effect.
428. In discussing the proposals given above, the Ambassador was directed
to express these considerations to the Turkish Ministers, in order to show how
for the arrangement was intended to extend, and what might be the possible
consequences of refusing it. Sir II. Layard was further given discrotion to
abstain from any attempt at an arrangement of the kind proposed if he thought
lit, in which case it might bo better simply to leave to Her Majesty's naval
officers a certain discretion as to visiting the waters of the El-IIasa coast for
police purposes, obtaning tbo previous conseut of the local authorities whenever
possible, and taking the risk of remonstrance in other cases. If he considered
it advisable to suspend action on these instructions, ho was asked to propose
an alternative course. In any case, he was, directed to make it clear to the
Porte that Her Majesty’s Government could not acquiesce in further attempts
to meet their representations and overtures by delay and evasion, while the evil
which it was desired to repress continued unabated.
429. In His Secret despatch No. 44 of 12th November 1880, the Secretary
Stmt, J.r.u.ry 1831, No. no, °f State forwarded a copy of father
correspondence on the subject, irom
this despatch it appeared that the instructions given to Sir H. Layard were
communicated to the Porte by his order in a memorandum by Sir A Sandison.
Abedine Pasha, Governor-General of Baghdad, subsequently requested
Sir A. Sandison to furnish him in writing with views of Ilor Majesty's Govern­
ment. Mr. Goschon took the opportunity thus offered to address the following
note to the Govcrnor-General:—
" Datod Tbcrapia, 7th July 1880.
“ From—Rioht Hox'bli G. J. Goscuek, M. P., H. 13. M.'s Ambassador at Constantinople,
To—llu Excillhnct Adidikb Pahia, Govornor-Goueral of Baghdad.
“ I have the honour to invite Your Excellency's serious attention to a subject which lm»
becu repeatedly brought to the notice of Sublime Porto by Sir II. Layard, in:., the injury