Page 376 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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grant l>o in contemplation, I would submit, for the consideration of Government, in communi­
cation with Licutenant-Colonol Houry Green, whether some tangible moans of strength and
security should not bo euppliod to tho extreme western frontior districts of the Khau'a
dominions ? The subsidy recommendod two years ago for Telograph protective purposes is, I
beliovc, now paid to tbe Naib of Kcj. I look upon ita continuance as most noeeesary, as well
ns that to tho Jam of Boln; and beg respectfully to point out that tho addition of a sea cable
to the land line between Karachi and Gwadur, though it rnny londor tho safety of the aerial
wires a matter of less moment, wi'l not in any way alter the aspect of our political relations
to the westward of Sind.
“There mny or may not ho truth in the reports of Mir Abdullah's claim to Kej. One
story was that the Governor of Kerman was aiding him in its enforcement; another that
Ibrahim Khan of Bampur was himself advancing to that district. The question naturally
occurs, should 6uch an invasion of friendly territory take place, while Government has an
Agent at Kclat, and another at Gwadur, what course would it be advisable to pursue? I
learnt at Gwadur this year thnt eighteen months ago a largo body of horsemen came down
from Bampur to the Dusht in Kolat territory, and assaulted tbe Beluchis. More than one
member of the family of tho Jeoni petty Chiefs was killed on tho occasion ; I have a record
of their names. It may be out of my province to pursue tbe enquiry upon this point any
further, but I would most respectfully resubmit that an understanding with Persia on tho
boundary question, one which she has shown no aversion to disous*, might save future
difficulty and complications.
“ A very few words will suffice to dispose of Charbar and Gwadur, the rights to which
Charbar and Gwadur. have already beon 60 fully discussed. I have no
hesitation iu recording an opinion that Persia has
no sort of claim to either one or the other. The first is clearly the Imam's by right of
conquest and long uninterrupted possession. That his tenure is acknowledged by the local
Itulers is clear, inasmuch ns they receive a portion of the revenues for protecting the port from
tho interior. The 6ole argument that Persia oould put forward in her own behalf would be
that when tho Imam got possession of Charbar, it formed part of a district, the sovereignty
over which was her own right, and could not he fairly forfeited by forcible conquest of her
Beluch subjects. But it is evident to my mind that Charbar was at tbe time situated in the
territory of Geb or Sirbaz, or some contiguous Chiefdom, which was subject to Nus?ir Khan
Brabui, or independent. As regards Gwadur, the only claim of which cognizance can be
taken is that of the Beluchis, who deny the free gift to the Imam. But this question ueed
not here bo re-opened, aud, whichever way decided, has no connection with the rights of
Persia. If Gwadur were Persian, Kej would, geographically considered, be 60 too, for it is the
port of that district; but Kej is still within the line of Kclat frontier in Mekran, and it is
hoped will continue so until the Khan's territory is sufficiently strengthened and defined to
render him indepeudent, as hi6 great predecessor Nussir, of extraneous aid."