Page 187 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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166. The following telegram was sent by the Governor of Bombay to Mr.
Alison on the nth February 1S68 :—
«' The Government of India suggest that Maskat has no title and that we cannot there­
fore treat with the Sultan. Your Excellency disapproves of our opening the question with
Persia, and Colonel Pclly says that no cession can be made by the present lessee of Bandar
Abbas. I think any recognition of Persian jurisdiction where doubtful west of Gwadur
would be very impolitic.”
167. The telegram from Mr. Alison to the
APoS.n?lS,'5r,t»sN" 106P''m'C‘1 Governor, dated the 29th February .868,
was as follows :—
” The Persian Government has taken alarm about the proceedings respecting Angaum.
They say the Imam of Maskat has no right to make territorial arrangements with Foreign
Powers and that if he persists, they will cancel his lease. 1 am in communication with the
Shah."
A copy of the above was forwarded to the Government of India with
• Merely a forwarding letter to the foregoing Government letter No. 45 * of the 22nd
telegram. February 1868.
168. By his letter No. 7 of the 31st January 1868 the Political Resident in
the Persian Gulf confirmed the telegram sent by him to the Governor on the
same day, which was as follows :—
“ Bandar Abbas Sheikh farms that district for one year and could not move concerning
Angaum unless after reference to Persian authority. I am awaiting further instructions
belore communicating with the Sheikh.”
169. With their memorandum No. 241-B., dated the 10th March 1868, the
Government of India forwarded a copy of their letter No. 241-A. of the same date
to the British Minister in Persia. Extracts from the letter are as follows:—
“ It has, the Governor-General in Council observes, been explained to the Shah's Govern­
ment that the proposed arrangement consists merely in the transfer of a telegraphic station
from one point to another in the jurisdiction of the Imam of Maskat with his consent. Your
Excellency is persuaded that on the nature of the change being made clear to the Shah,
His Majesty's consent will be readily given.
Mi, the information given in Bombay Govern­
ment letter No. 283, dated the 31st December I867. From the marginally noted information sub­
mitted by the Bombay Government the Gov­
ernor-General in Council is however inclined to apprehend that the Persian Government
may ere this have taken exception to the description of the Island of Angaum as a point
within the jurisdiction of the Imam of Maskat. But the Governor-General in Council sees
grounds for hoping that the present opportunity may be successfully taken for pressing
upon the attention of the Persian Government the proposal in the form which it originally
took, namely, the concentration at the Island of Angaum ol all our establishments at the
mouth of the Persian Gulf. This measure would involve the removal to that place of the
telegraphic station now fixed at Musandim and of the naval station at Bassidorc in which
the territorial rights of the Persian Government would appear to be exactly similar to those
in Angaum. It might be easy to arrange with Persia, so that the prescriptive right by
which a partial tenure is enjoyed at Bassidorc should be transferred to Angaum. I am to
request that His Majesty the Shah may be moved to give the requisite permission.”
170. By his letter, dated the 30th March 1868, Sir C. Alison confirmed his
t Proceeds* No. 266 in Political A. October tclcgramf tO the Governor of Bombay
1868, Nos. 266-267. 0f t[;e same date by whichihe had intimated
that he had obtained the Shah’s sanction for a telegraph station at Angaum
and that plans had been furnished by Major Champain ; and in which he had
requested that this information might be conveyed to the Governor-General.
*7i. On the 28th April 1S6S the following telegram was received from the
same officer:—
u There is no question of discussing proprietorship of Angaum,’and I have executed the
instructions of Her Majesty’s Government with all the reservation and caution that I could
bring to bear upon the subject.”
1 Enclosure to Proceedings No. 271 in Political 172. On the 17th July 186S, the follow­
A., September 1868, Nos. 268’274.
ing telegram J was received from the
Resident in the Guff:—
, , Arrived at Shiraz. I learn accidentally that convention between England and Persia
has been sent home for ratification concerning Angaum. As this islet is claimed by and
wouiu, but lor the Viceroy’s proferred mediation regarding Bandar Abbas, have been already