Page 190 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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“The Government of India has further expressed its inability to understand how
Colonel Felly could consider it consistent with his duty to permit the sovereign rights of
Persia to be questioned, but considering that the instructions given to him were evidently
i framed in ignorance that the island was claimed by Maskat, and that the sovereign rights
of Persia were n.'t admitted by that State, it occurs to the Governor in Council that it was
impossible for Colonel Pclly to avoid bringing that fact to the notice of this Government
with the view to its being communicated to the Government of India. Had he failed to do
so, and the right of Maskat had been afterwards asserted, the Government of India would
justly have visited Colonel Pclly with its displeasure for withholding from them a fact in
ignorance of which they had been a party to depriving one State of its lawful territory and
handing it over to another.
“ The information furnished by Colonel Pclly on the subject is mentioned in his
telegram dated the 6th August 1868 (copy attached).
" His Excellency in Council requests that the Government of India will be good
enough to communicate to him the information referred to as existing in the Foreign Olfice,
that Angaum has always hithcreto been treated as Persian territory. He would be glad to
be favoured with a copy of the convention with Persia, if it has been received, regarding
Angaum, as steps are now being taken by this Government for the erection of buildings on
the island, and His Excellency in Council is not aware what restrictions or limitations, if
any, may exist in this respect."
180. Reference is then invited to letter from the Resident in the Gulf, No.
103, dated the 31st August 1868, the concluding portion of which is as follows:—
“ Mr. Alison appears to consider that the tone of Maskat on the present occasion has
been ' lofty*. But perhaps it was scarcely to be expected that an independent State like
that of Maskat could see her dependency of Bandar Abbas suddenly surprised by a Persian
force and her Governor unceremoniously expelled, without some feelings of irritation; and
1 entertain myself no doubt whatever that had it not been for British intervention there
would have been a formidable descent of Arabs on the Persian coast. I believe Lingah
and the islands were the first points destined for attack.
“As matters have turned out, the Bandar Abbas lease has been amicably settled, the
question of Angaum was not introduced into the discussion, and the Persian Coast has
been preserved from insult."
(N.B.—The rest of this letter is a repetition of his telegram of the 6th
August 1868—vide paragraph 176 suj>ra.)
181. In the meantime a despatch was received from the Secretary of State
(Sir Stafford Northcote), No. 4 (Tele­
In paragraph 34 of Proceedings No. 106 in Politi­ graph), dated the 7th May 1868, forward­
cal A., October 189S, Nos. 104-109, the main points
of the memo, are ijuoted. ing copy of a memorandum by Lieutenant-
Colonel Goldsmid, relative to the measures
proper to be taken in consequence of the Persian Government having given
formal permission to our using the Island of Angaum as a telegraph station,
stating, with regard to the selection and arrangements of stations along the
extended line of telegraph, and also to the use to be made of our newly-acquired
privileges in Angaum, he (the Secretary of State) had desired Colonel Goldsmid
to apply for orders to the Bombay Government.
Proceeding*, Political A., August i86S, Nos. 266- 181 A. On the lath October 1868 the
267 (No. 267). Government of India telegraphed as fol-
lows :—
“ The Governor-General has no more information than that possessed by the Bombay
Government. But if any difficulty, of which the Governor-General has no anticipation,
should arise, occupy Angaum for telegraphic purposes as some time ago was suggested by
Mr. Alison, leaving the question of relative claims of Persia and Maskat to subsequent
adjustment, and inform Mr. Alison.
“ The convention with Persia is that mentioned by Mr. Alison in his letter to Lord
Stanley of April 2nd, 1868."
182. Sir Charles Alison addressed to Lord Stanley despatch No. 42 of
the 31st March 1868, enclosing translation
r&.’iSTclSAH* '°6" Of an official communication from the Per-
sian Minister for Foreign Affairs conveying
the Shah’s sanction for the erection according to the enclosed rough sketch
and return of employes furnished by Major Champain, of a telegraph station
on the Island of Ashowade.