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next in those of the Afghan ruler, whose foreign relations arc in our hands. Countries and
powers which arc thus placed in relation to each other can hardly fail to develop, and ought
to encourage the closest connections ; and the more that those who arc responsible Tor
their administration see of each other and learn of each other's views and needs, the belter
must it be for both.
I think that I have said enough, therefore, to show that if it is a novel thing, it is
yet no unnatural thing, that the Viceroy of India should some here to pay you a visit, and
to see how Indian interests and Indian subjects arc faring in this allies and adjacent
country. Perhaps in my own case the justification is not weakened by the fact that I have
for many years taken a deep interest In Persia, and have always entertained the warmest
desire that the ancient friendship between the British Government and the illustrious
Sovereign of this country should be strengthened and deepened as time goos on.
Gentlemen, I concur with you in thinking that it would be a great advantage to you to
be connected by telegraph with the outer world; and nothing would give me greater
pleasure than to be instrumental, with the good offices of the Persian Government, in
□ringing about such a consummation.
In conclusion let me offer you my best wishes for your continued and increasing pros­
perity in the future."
163. While at Bandar Abbas His Excellency landed upon the islands of
Hormuz and Kishm, and discussed with the Admiral the question of naval
defence and strategy at the mouth of the Gulf.
169. After leaving Bandar Abbas the Hardinge skirted the southern shores
of the island of Kishm and halted In the Stfalts at Henjam, in order to enable
the Admiral and the Viceroy to form an opinion upon the question of re-opening
the telegraph station at that place. They formed a very definite conclusion in its
favour, in preference to Bassiduh or Bassidore at the western extremely of
Kishm, where the British flag is kept flying and where a small Arab and Persian
population has formed a colony under its protection. A visit was also paid to
(his place. The possession of this territory is invaluable because of the hold
that it gives to us over Kishm : but owing to the tortuous and shallow nature of
the channels, it does not seem likely that we shall again require to use it as a
naval station, or that it could advantageously be turned into a naval base.
While anchored off the neighbouring Persian Port of Lingah, the Viceroy enter­
tained the Salar-i-Mooazzam to a dinner on board the Hardinge. Nothing could
exceed the cordiality of the relations that prevailed on the occasion.
169-A. Frotn Lingah the Viceroy again crossed to the Arab Coast of the
Gulf, where he spent two days in the harbour of Bahrein. The Chief of these
islands, who has now ruled for a period of over 36 years, owes- his position, his
immunity from attack and from the warfare and bloodshed of earlier days, and
the increasing prosperity of Bahrein (which appears to be capable of very
considerable further development) exclusively to the British Protectorate. The
latter has on many occasions been asserted by His Majesty’s Government and
admits of no dispute. It is the main, if not the sole, guarantee for the commer­
cial expansion of which the place seems to be undoubtedly susceptible. It has
been further emphasized in recent years, by the recognition in 1899 by the
Government of India, with the sanction of the Secretary of State of the Shaikh’s
%eldest son, Shaikh Hamed, as his successor designate to the Chiefship of the
State. The Shaikh himself is of a conservative disposition, and he would gladly
see no changes made in anything in his time, and be left to die in peace. In
the private interview which Lord Curzon accorded to him, one or two local
subjects were discussed, and in pursuance of the authority more than once given
to the Government of India by the Secretary of State, His Excellency then
pressed upon the Shaikh an improvement in the administration of his customs.
If this be not undertaken before long, the State would become seriously embar­
rassed by the personal indebtedness of its head. The Viceroy intimated to the
Shaikh that the reform which was entirely in the interests of himself and his son
could not be permanently postponed : and that he should expect proposals to be
submitted to him by the Resident in consultation with him.

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