Page 381 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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sclicmo to the Government of India, tho Chief Director of the Indo-European
Telegraph dwelt upon its advantages in a general point of view, and added :
“ Littlo or nothing 1ms been foirl of the political results of tho Convention contemplated;
but it is hoped they are not unimportant.
Accompaniment to loiter to Bombay Govern­
ment, No. GO of 11th May 1800. Article VI secures a frontier beyoud our own
frontier, nnd from what has transpirod already in
Persia, it is believed that this Article might be carried. Mirza Said Khan, the Persian
Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Colonel Goldsmid, in discussing the question five months
ago, that the Governor of Kerman would decide up to what point eastward his coutrol would
reach. The Governor of Kerman frankly adrnittod that he hud nothing to 6ay to Gwadur,
aud had littlo power on the sea coast, but at the same time his authority enabled Colonel
Goldsmid to proccod unmolested with a guido and no actual escort through the passes of
Mekran to Charbar. Major Smith in like manner reached Bunder Abbas, and afterwards
landed at Jaslc, marching four stages thonco td tho eastward. Tho Governor of Bampur, tho
chief district of Buluchistan, who had formerly openly opposed our coming to Gwadur, defined
his frontier and that of Ktdal to Colonel Goldsmid with sufficient clearness to sot the question
at rest. But if we do not secure this boundary by Treaty,the Persians may yet encroach to
tho eastward of the line, in the same way that they have encroached during the last twenty
years. It is most respectfully represented that the Telegraph offers a moans of interference
on our part in this matter which may not again bo available.”
36. Tho Article alluded to was roughly drafted thus:
This is the point to which it was supposed, on “VI,—It is, however, stipulated that no
the occasion of former enquiries, that Persian political interference will ho exercised by the
encroachment to tho east had extended, aud tho
Government of Persia in tho port of Gwadur or
status has now bcon coufirmed. Tho precise ,, , . . - .
boundary is near tho Drabol Hill, a few miles the State of Kelat, or any other port of tho coast
vest of the river named. east of the Dusht Kkor, in the Bay of Gwettur.”
3?. The “ Governor of Barupur ” mentioned, is Ibrahim Khan, whoso
courtesy and general behaviour as host, on the occasion in question, merits
recognition in a consideration of his less reputable public acts and character
among tho Mekran Baluchis. Tho “ boundary ” signified, as nearly as can be
defined on an illustration which has no pretensions to accuracy, is marked on
the accompanying map.
38. Tho concurrence and support of the Government of India and of
Bombay having been accorded, tho scheme was developed and submitted in
detail to the Seoretarv of State for India; and eventually took the form of a
draft Convention of several Articles. But before an approved draft was for­
warded to Her Majesty’s Minister at Tehran, many alterations had been made
in tho original, and notably the Article restricting Persian “ claims ” to the
territory west of the Dusht Khor was struck out in Her Majesty’s Foreign
Office. It was not thought desirable to mix up a political question with ono
which was, or should be, purely telegraphic. But, while accepting the amend­
ments suggested, the Secretary of State for India addressed the Foreign Office
to-the effect that, although the question of boundary had been withdrawn from
the draft Convention, it was ono of considerable importance in every sense; and
it would appear very desirable that Mr. Alison should he specially instructed
to hear it in mind in tho course of negotiation.
39. In October 1866 Lieutenant-Colonel Goldsmid left London, under
SooKiary of stato for India, to tho Governor instructions from Lord Cranhorno, to pro­
of Bombay in Council, No. 25 of 30th November CGod to Tehran, to he placed by Mr. Alison
1866, “ in direct communication with the
Persian authorities, * * and entrusted, under Mr. Alison’s superin­
tendence and control, with tho chief conduct of tho negotiations respecting
the proposod telegraphic arrangements.” Detention on duty at Constan­
tinople prevented his arrival at Tehran till February. Negotiations commenced,
interviews and messages passed, hut it soon became apparent that the occasion
was unfavourable, and about two months later, Her Majesty’s Minister wrote
as follows:—
u After repeatedly pressing the subject of our proposals respecting the Telegraph on tbo
Mr. Aliaon, to Colonel Goldsmid, lGth April serious attention of the Persian Government, I
1867. _ have just received tho final answer of the King,
namely, that His Majesty cannot at presoot.entertain these proposals.
• j King is about to leave this in a few days, on a pilgrimage to Meshed, I do not
consider tbut anything further can be done in the matter at this time.”
4628 F. D.