Page 71 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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apparatus, as proposed at Musandiin, Bassidu, and
Bahrein, for the more cHcctivc suppression of
piracy, and as a signal station for passing ships.
Bank. It might also he of service (o trade if a bank
were opened at Kowoit.
11 should he observed that a delicate point in
our relations with the Sheikh is the extent to
which wo can ignore the traffic in arms which
nominally ho has prohibited.
(g.) Mohammerah.
Tho town of Mohammerah is situated on the
right bank of tho Karuu River, about a mile
above the point where it flows into the Shat-el-
Arab. The British India Steam Navigation
Company’s steamers call weekly, lying at the
confluence of the Karuu with the Shat-cl-Arab.
There is considerable communication between
Mohammerah and the interior of Persia, while a
regular service of steamers is maintained with
Ahwaz.
Both Turkey and Persia have raised claims to
tho ownership of the town and surrounding
territory of Mohammerah. Tho subject is ex­
haustively dealt with in a Memorandum, dated
December, 11)00, on the Tureo-Persian frontier.
Sheikh Khazal of Mohammerah is the acknow­
ledged Head of a number of Arab tribes on the
Karun and Shat-cl-Arab. lie has considerable
armed forces, and as regards the Persian Govern­
ment, occupies the position of a semi-independent
feudal Prince, ne also exercises authority over
certain Arab tribes in Turkey.
Sheikh Khazal has in recent years undertaken
the policing of the Karun in a more effective
manner, mainly with a view to secure British
good-will.
India Office, In 1904 Major Burton, who acted as British
April 26, 1904.
Vice-Consul at Mohammerah, recommended that
an Arrangement should be made with the
Sheikh, guaranteeing him against the Persian
Government. Tie stated that the Sheikh had
extended his power in a very marked manner, and*
that, his territory apparently stretched along the
coast as far as Shah Abdul Shah/a few miles
west of Dilani, whilst there were few signs of
Persian authority south of Band-i-kir to the
border of Pars. The Governors of Ahwaz aud
Mashur were nominated by him; he had done
much for the suppression of piracy on the Shat-
el-Arab and tho safety of the roads and the
Karun River in Ambistan ; while, if encouruged,