Page 172 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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was not indisposed to appeal to force in support of his claim, declaring that
nothing had prevented his ancestor from asserting the sovereign rights of
Maskat over the disputed territory, but the action of the British Government
in prohibiting the Arab alies of Maskat from rendering assistance. Upon this
the Government of India replied that subsequent to the date of Colonel Pelly's
communication our views had been made known by letter and telegraph, and
that that officer would no doubt shape his course accordingly.
118. A later letter of Colonel Pelly’s, dated 8th ultimo, No. 70, conveyed
the information that the Shah had apparently estimated the Bandar Abbas
revenue at 60,000 tomans, and that the Sultan would consent to an
increased payment from 16,000 tomans to 25,000 tomans, inclusive of all
demands, such as douceurs and irregular payments to Persian officials. In this
communication it was mentioned that the Sultan would accept a renewal of
the lease as regards those territories only which were specified in the former
lease to the exclusion of the islands of Angaum and Larrack, which, His
Highness asserted, were not included therein.
119. On the 18th August a telegram was received from Her Majesty's
Minister at Tehran asking for the precise views of the Government of India
with reference to the mission of Colonel Pelly, who, with the Maskat Agent,
had arrived at Shiraz. The Persian Government it was stated, were not dis­
posed to admit of British interference on the one hand, and on the other the
Maskat Agent, while making no definite propositions, used threatening language.
Matters besides were complicated by the introduction of the question of
sovereignty over the island of Angaum in such a manner as to arouse the
suspicions of Persia regarding our own good faith in the matter.
120. Mr. Alison was informed in reply that we desired the renewal of
the lease of Bandar Abbas and Us dependencies to Maskat on equitable terms,
the rights of Persia over the whole territory, including Angaum, being at the
same time clearly recognized. Persia, we observed, had in the first instance
invited our interposition in her behalf, and could not therefore now decline our
mediation. And we added that, if Colonel Pelly’s presence at Shiraz was con­
sidered objectionable, he would be withdrawn, but in that case it would be
necessary to depute to him a high Persian official empowered to conclude terms.
121. The Bombay Government were at the same time apprized of the
Government of India's views, and attention was drawn to the case of the island
of Angaum, which throughout the correspondence about the removal there
from Mussendom of the Telegraph Station was regarded as a portion of Persian
territory.
122. On the 25th August a telegram was received from Colonel Pelly
through the Government of Bombay, to the effect that the Persian Government
had openly declined our mediation, that the Maskat Agent would endearour
to open negotiations direct, but that there appeared small chance of success.
In the event of failure, Colonel Pelly urged that no further restriction should be
placed on the action of the Sultan of Maskat, unless we were prepared to
guarantee that Persia on her part should not reinforce the coast districts or
receive naval assistance from abroad. A naval demonstration would, Colonel
Pelly thought, at once bring Persia to terms. As regards Angaum, he feared
lest the Sultan might take exception to the separate arrangement of which
it had been the subject between Persia and ourselves.
123. The Bombay Government expressed their concurence with Colonel
Pelly’s view that Maskat should no longer be prevented from enforcing her
claim by 'blockade, and added that there would be the less objection to this
course, inasmuch as efficient British vessels of war would be soon present in
the Gulf.
124. But as wc were indisposed to countenance in anyway a disturbance of
that peace of which the British Government had assumed the guardianship,
we under date 26th August telegraphed our opinion that, if the question were
confined simply to the conditions of the renewal of the lease of Bandar Abbas
and its dependencies, the Persian Government would probably come to terms.