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como to a satisfactory and speedy docision on both subjects. In a memorandum
dated lOtli November 1876, to tho Persian
flocrct, Febrcary 1877, No. 18.
Minister for Foreign Adairs, Mr. Thomson
urged strongly tho oxpodionoy of giving early effect to tho docision
arrived at regarding tho opening of tho
Secret, May 1877, No. 103.
Karun. In a despatch to tho Earl of’
Derby, dated 22nd Fobruary 1877, he, howover, regretted that no progress
had up to that tirno been made, though ho had not failed to keep tho matter
constantly beforo the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who professed to
have, on several occasions, brought tho question uuder tho serious consideration
of the Shah, and urged its adoption, lie explained that tho great object of tho
Minister for Foreign Affairs was to bo reinstated as Prime Minister, and all
questions brought before him wore pressed on, doferred, or evaded, as they
affected the object of his ambition. He also thought tho Shah indisposed to
tho measure, while many of those in constant personal attendance upon him,
whose influence was beyond that which was expedient for tho interests of the
country, wero directly opposed to it.
80. On 20th August 1877 Messrs. Gray, Dawes & Co. again addressed the
Earl of Derby regarding the opening
Secret, October 1877, No. 23.
of the Karun. The time was then favour­
able. The "War between Russia and Turkoy had closed tho northern communi­
cations, and tho foreign trade of Persia was tending southwards. If they could
get the Karun oponed, they believed tho trade then diverted would, to a great
extent, be permanently retained. As requested by Messrs. Gray, Dawes & Go.,
Mr. Thomson was again instructed to press tho matter on the Persian Govern­
ment. This Mr. Thomson did. He had two interviews with the Persian
Minister, at which he again urged strongly
Socret, January 1878, Noi. 21-25.
the advantages which would follow from
the adoption of the measure. At the first interview the Minister professed his
willinguess to support it. At the second, ho said ho found the Shah so averse
to enter upon tho subject that he thought it would be advisable to defer it. Mr.
Thomson, howover, addressod a letter on the subject to the Minister, dated 24th
October 1877. He received a reply on the 28th October, abruptly closing the
question for the time. The letter was &b follows:—
u In reply. I beg to state most respectfully that tho Persian Ministers always feel
thankful for the sincere friendship and interest shown by the British Government, and are at
•11 times anxious to respect and carry out, as far as possible, the representations, made by the
Legation. But as regards tho Karun River and its navigation by steamers, in consideration
of political obstacles at present existing, to specify which is unnecessary, they beg to bo
completely exoused for the present, and regret their inability to carry out this undertaking at
the present moment”
81. The Marquis of Salisbury, in a letter to the Foreign Office, London,
dated 6th January 1878, much regretted
Secret, Fcbroery 1878, Koe. 69-60.
that the influence of Her Majesty’s Minister
at Tehran should have proved insufficient to secure from the Shah’s Govern­
ment favorable consideration of a project so obviously advantageous to the
commercial interests of both Persia and Great Britain. It was not, however,
anticipated by Lord Salisbury that, under existing circumstances, further
pressure either upon the Shah or his Ministers was likely to be attended by any
practicable result. Lord Derby nevertheless instructed Mr. Thomson to loso.no
opportunity of again pressing the question upon the notice of the Persian
Government..
(ii) Proposed Railways from Resbt to Teheran, and Teheran to the
Karun River; the Karun navigation question, 1878-79.
82. While the Shah was in Europe in 1878, two projects were submitted*
to him for the construction of railways in Persia. One of the lines pro-
•Letter from H. MMinister InTcberan. No. 119, pOSed Was from Resllt to Teheran, and
d&ted i8tb Augu»t 1878, to tbe Marquis of Salisbury. ^ho other from Teheran to Tabriz. The
Persians had also been in communication with the Austrian Government
respecting tho employment of civilians to undertake the supervision of financial,
postal, customs, and police arrangements, in Persia. Nothing was signed or
accepted. Some Austrian military officers were, however, engaged to organize
and instruct a corps d'armie in Persia.

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