Page 293 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CHAPTER IX.
Certain miscellaneous affairs with regard to British relations
with Persia.
(Ixxviii) Disturbances on the Persian Littoral: Question of British interference,
i860.
547. In his letter dated 4th January i860 to Sir H. Rawlinson (British Min*
ister at Tehran), Captain Felix Jones report*
Voluma III-108of i860.
ed that strifes and disturbances had been
rife along the coast of Fars, and threatened to spread further, carrying anarchy
and confusion everywhere to the detriment of trade and peace. Captain Jones
addressed a letter to Sultan Murad Mirza lhsam-es-Sultaneh, Prince Governor of
Fars, offering the co-operation of the British squadron to coerce the refractory
tribes.
548. The Persian Government, however, evinced no disposition to accept
the offer made by Captain Jones, having before them the trick played by the
Russians in occupying the inland of Ashoor ; $nd in carrying out their undertaking
to repress the Turcoman disorders on the coast of the Caspian Sea: the Persian
Government could not be expected to fall in with the Resident's suggestion.
The best chance, therefore, Sir II. Rawlinson thought, of its realization would be
in the conviction which would be forced on the mind of the Prince Governor of
Fars during his intended tour through the Maritime districts, that without our
co-operation peace and order could not be maintained, and in the recommenda­
tion in favour of that co-operation which he might thus be expected to send to
Tehran. In the meantime Sir H. Rawlinson did not think it prudent to ex­
hibit any great urgency or interest in the matter (despatch to the Resident,
dated 7th April i860).
549. The following Resolution was recorded by the Bombay Government
on the proceeding (15th June i860):—
The Resident should be informed that his proceedings are approved,
His Excellency Sir H. Rawlinson's letter of the 7th April clearly explains the views
which at present actuate the Persian Government. These views arc under all the circum­
stances natural, and it appears to this Government that the proper course for the Resident
to pursue is to maintain liis present vigilance to be always ready to afford aid for the pre­
servation of tranquillity among the littoral tribes, but not to press the policy which he ad­
vocates too keenly on the Persian authorities.
The distrust of the Persian Government should be gradually allayed and the Hon’ble
Governor in Council doubts not that a healthier feeling will eventually be engendered.
(Ixxix) Desecration of the English burial ground at Bushire, 1862.
550. In May 1862, Captain Disbrowe, Assistant Political Resident at
„ , _ f Bushire, submitted to the Bombay Govern-
oume -1030 1 3- ment copies of a letter addressed by him
to Her Majesty’s Minister at the Court of Persia and the Persian Agent for
Foreign Affairs at Bushire, relative to the desecretion of the English burial
ground at that place.
In this correspondence Captain Disbrowe stated that although every reason­
able precaution had been adopted to prevent entry into the burial ground by the
erection of walls around it, steps had been cut into the walls and broken glass
arranged along them removed, the enclosure made use of for cultivation and the
graves desecrated—the nature of the desecration however was not stated.
551. In reply Captain Disbrowe was informed that it would have been more
satisfactory had he placed before Government a plain account of what he had to
complain of; he was at the same time requested to state whether the employment
of a paid watchman at the burial ground would prevent a repetition of the course
of complaint.
552. On the 4th July 1867, Captain Disbrowe submitted transcript of a
despatch recently received by him from Her Majesty’s Minister'at Tehran, from
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