Page 176 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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133. The Government of India wrote to Mr. Alison (No. 2848-?., dated 7th
October 1871) :—
‘•With reference to your telegram of 23rd September reporting that Mis Majesty
the Shah will not consent to release Bandar Abbas to the Sultan of Maskat, the Viceroy
and Governor-General in Council desires me to express a hope that you will be able to
induce the Persian Government at all events to allow the question to remain an open one,
and to abstain from giving any final decision at present.
From the papers which I have the honour to enclose* Your Exccllcny will perceive
that since his accession to the Government of
£“5,' “i, Saiyid Turk! has on three occasions
dated 6th May >871. solicited the good o'ficcs of the British Govern­
ment with a view to obtain for him a release
of Bandar Abbas.
Considering the length of time during which the Maskat Government have been
entrusted with the administration of this seaport, the friendly relations which it is
desirable to see established between all the Governments possessing authority on the
shores of the Persian Gulf, and the assistance which would be given to Saiyid Turki in
consolidating his authority in Maskat if His Majesty the Shah were to entrust his confidence
in the present Ruler by releasing Bandar Abbas on reasonable terms, considering also
how very desirable it is that the British Government should be enabled to strengthen its
influence at Maskat by the successful exercise of its good offices in the matter, His
Excellency in Council desires me to express the hope that you will continue your endea­
vours, as opportunity may offer, to bring about so desirable a result, or, at all events,
to prevent the question being finally closed by a decision adverse to Saiyid Turki's hopes.
His Excellency in Council is induced to urge this more strongly by the consideration
that, on receipt of your telegram of 10th September, a communication was made through
the Bombay Government enquiring whether Saiyid Turki would be prepared to send
an Agent to Tehran to negotiate and conclude the lease, and to that communication
a favourable answer has been received. Your Excellency will easily understand what
embarrassments will arise if, after communications have been made which gave rise to a
reasonable explanation of a favourable issue to the negotiation. His Excellency in Council
is under the necessity of informing Saiyid Turki that the Persian Government decline to
renew the lease."
134. On 13th October 1871 Colonel Pelly (In No. 5778, from Bombay
Government, 30th November) submitted in detail the views of His Highness
the Sultan on the question of a release of the Bandar Abbas districts. He
said:—
“ The gist of. His Highness’ arguments seems to be that he would be very desirous
of re-cessing the Bandar Abbas districts, provided he could do so on the terms accorded
to the ex-Sultan Saiyid Salim ; provided, further, that the negotiation for the lease could
be carried through without extravagant outlay at the Court of Persia ; and provided
lastly, that, if practicable, the negotiation should be entirely in the hands of Colonel Pelly,
or “officer of similar rank, the Maskat Envoy being merely present for form’s sake."
135. Mr. Alison charged Mr. Dickson with a message to Sadr Azam, the
Shah’s Prime Minister, with the view of renewing the subject of the lease of
Bandar Abbas, and reported (15th December 1871) that the Sadr Azam’s
language was unfavourable, but (as requested in the despatch of the Govern­
ment of India, No. 2148-P. of 7th October 1871) he would not omit any good
opportunity of bringing this matter before the Shah’s Government.
136. To Mr. Dickson Sadr Azam said the he did not believe that the
Shah meant strictly what his reply did literally convey. He entered into the
early history of the question, recounting how previously an Agent of one of the
Imams imprisoned a Persian Governor of Bandar Abbas for whose release
Her Majesty’s Government refused to intercede, and which was only obtained
by a renewal of the lease. He said it would be humiliating to the Persian
Government, who can perfectly maintain their country, to have to rent a posses­
sion to a family, who, after having professed their allegiance to Persia, cast upon
it the grossest indignity. Persia, he added, would always value England’s
friendly advice and do her best to meet the wishes of Her Majesty's Govern­
ment and would protect British traders: any Agent of the Imam would not be
officially recognized, though he would be treated with proper respect.
Mr. Alison reported on 18th December 1871 the appointment of Ahmed
Shah of Minab, to the Government of Bandar Abbas, in the room of Haji Ahmed
Khan who had been dismissed.