Page 384 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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" Ilia Excellency, while disavowing1 any political views on tho part of his Government,
attaohod much importance to the Shah's projeot. If agreed to, it might lend to tho extension
of tho other line proposed from Hander Abbas to ICerman, and this oiTort on tho part of tho
King in the way to progress ought to bo enoournged by Great Bntaiu.
“I observed that, of course, tho Shah’s projeot was worthy of due attention; that wo had
n very simple objeot in view, and that I trusted ho would state to llis Majesty tho difficulties
which seemed to me to lio in the way of its attainment. If tho Persian Ministers were
desirous of discussing the subject of territorial ^rights, I would bo willing to enter upon that
matter on another occasion.
"Tho Minister promised to send a Report of our conversation that evoniug to tho Shah."
III, —" I yestorday received a message from the Shall, conveying liis desire that I would
explain to him my opinion respecting the territorial
Mr. Alison, to Lord Stanloy, 21st November.
question involved in the discussion about the
Mokran Coast line, but I replied thnt it was more useful at present to consider tho practical
! means for carrying tho work into execution.
" Tho object of tho Persian Government in proposing to lay down and protect tho line
from Gwadur is, no doubt, to involve Her Majesty's Government in a recognition of their
right of sovereignty over the Mekran Coast up to Gwadur, which would include a port of the
territory claimed by tho Khan of Kelat. If the subject is pressed, I shall have to explain the
political objections entertained by Her Majesty's Government to such recognition ; but it is
desirable, in tho first instance, to make tho Persian Government feel as much as possible the
objections which exist to their own plan in a practical point of view.
" In making this explanation, it may bocorae advisable to sound the Persian Government
on tho following point:—Whether, in the event of our accepting their proposal to layjdown the
line from theDuaht Khor westwards, they would make a separate engagement that no political
interference shall be exercised by them in the port of Gwadur or the State of Kelat, or in aoy
other part of the Coast east of the River Dusht Khor, in the Bay of Gwettur ?
"The advantage accruing to Persia from this arrangement would be the virtual recogni­
tion on the j-art of the British Government of the right of sovereignty over the Mekran
Coast west of the Dusht Khor. With regard to tho practical part of the work, it is to be
presumed that they would come to an uuderstandiug with the Imam of Muscat, and it is likely
that they would be nothiug loth to fall back on our resources, for it is shown by experience
that they have no hesitation to enter into engagements which they have but slender means
and feeble intention of carrying out.
IV. —"The Shah, having continued to press the point of the construction by Persia of
the telegraphic Hue between Jask and Gwadur, I
Mr. Alison, to Lord Stanley, 8th Docember.
have explained to his Minister the political objec­
tions entertained to their operating in the line of the country between tho Dusht Khor and
Gwadur, being territory claimed by the Khau of Kelat.
Tho King's view of the subject is coutaincd in the memorandum enclosed in copy. It is
set forth that a Telegraphic Convention in the form now proposed by us would clearly and
manifestly tend to vitiate the rights of Persia over the districts through which the line
would pass. I have endeavoured to point out, in the instructions addressed to Mr. Thomson,
* * that there is no ground for 6uch an assertion.
"It is distinctly stated in the memorandum that Kcj is considered as forming an
integral part of Persia, and it would therefore seem now more than over inexpedient to accept
the terms of a Convention which would confer upon her tho right of carrying on operations
eaet of the Dusht Khor."
Memorandum enclosed.
"The Persian Government consider Kej and Mekran integral parts of the province of
Kerman, and therefore undoubtedly Persian territory. The ports of Gwadur and Shah
Beuder* are also plaoed by them in exactly the
• Cbarbar evidently here intended.
same category as other ports belonging exclu­
sively to Persia. No ono can now make objection to, or impugn, the territorial rights to
Persia on that coast, for hitherto she has not signed any deed or made any admission which
could be held to impair or weaken the rights she possesses in that quarter; but a Telegraphic
Convention, in the form now proposed by the English Mission, would clearly and manifestly
tend to vitiate the rights over the districts in question, for the propositions which have been
made leave the matter of right of sovereignty involved iu doubt; and, iu ratifying such a
Convention, Persia would distinctly admit that her light was not absolute. To make this
more clear, for instance, if Persia were to conclude a Couvention of a similar vague and doubtful
nature with any foreigu Government regarding the ports in the Caspian, or those on the coast
of the Persian Gulf, certainly- it would be considered as a document which would render
precarious, if it did not vitiate, her territorial rights to these ports.
"Supposing that the English Mission should reply to this, that the rights of the
Persian Government on the ooast of Mekran, such as they now are, will rpmoin the same when
the Convention has been signed, the answer of the Persian Government is, that there is a
very important difference, because Persia has not hitherto entered into any engagement