Page 390 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CHAPTER VI.
Arrangements with local Chiefs as regards the Telegraph. Unsettled
state of the Country.
49. Tho Chief Director of the Government, Indo-European Telegraph,
having submitted his proposals for oxtonding and strengthening tho linos,
consequent upon Mr. Alison’s Treaty, tho Secretary of State for India in­
formed tho Government of Bombay of his general concurrence in tho views
expressed, and of the nature of authority conveyed for further proceedings.
Sir Stafford Northcote’s letter thus alludes to the political arrangements
involved:—
“ Id tho lattor port of hie memorandum, Colonel Goldspiid proposes to superintend
personally towards the end of tho year, the settle­
No. 4 of tho 7th May 1808. ment with the Beluoli and other Chiefs along tho
Mekran Coast of the terraa of tho subsidies to be allowed them on account of their acqui­
escence in our arrangements. He has been apprised that in any doubtful or difficult questions
which may occur during disou6sion of these mattora, ho must apply for instructions to your
Government.”
50. Before, however, putting briefly on record the progress and comple­
tion of the negotiations hero contemplated, it will bo necessary to show the
actual condition of the country at the time. There had been signs of disquiet
again since Ibrahim Khan’s enoroachmonts of frontier in 1863; and tho
advance upon Punjgur in 1864, mentioned in Captain Watson’s Report.
61. The Assistant Political Agent writes in August last:—“ It has boon
Captain Rom. to sir w. Mcrewethor. No. 108, roported to me on good authority that
of 24th Augoit 1868. the Persian authorities on the Frontier
of Bcluchistan have some intention of sending an expedition into the territory
of the Khan of Kelat under the following circumstances :—
“A few year, ago a dispute arose between the Naib of Kej and Shai Omar, of the
Gitchki family. The latter having been driven out of the Port of Toorbut, proceeded to
Kelat, to complain to the Kliau. A nephew of Shai Omar, named Mahomed Khan, soon
after abandoned his estate in Kej, proceeded to the Persian districts with all his family, and
has since been endeavouring to procure assistance against Faquir Mahomed in that quarter.
This year Mahomed Khan accompanied Ibrahim Khan, Governor of Bam pur, to Kerman, to
Eeek assistance of the Wakil-ul-Mulk, and returned to Geh a short time ago.
"The Persian Deputy at Geh, Mir Abdullah, wrote in the present month to Mahomed
Ah’, Chief of Baho, informing him that the Kerman Ruler had proinisod to send 8,000 men
with Mahomed Khan, to enable him to push his claims at Kej.
u I do not record this Report under the impression that it is in tho least probable such
a design will be carried iuto execution. Violations of frontier have, however, not been
unfrequent from the side of Persian Baluchistan, and you are well aware of the nature
of Persia’s policy in this quarter during the past twenty years. It appears to me the time
is at hand when such occurrences must, as far as possible, be discouraged. The Persian
authorities of these remote districts have not yet quite realized tho fact that their proceedings
can no longor escape unnoticed. 1, therefore, think it well to be particular in noticing for
your information, and that of the Political Agent at Kelat, all such reports as the present,
which seem to have 6ome foundation. That there is some foundation for tho present report
can scarcely be doubted, since it reached me from three separate quarters.
"I would respectfully suggest that the mere fact of an enquiry being made of the Kerman
Governor would have a significance which might be beneficial.”
52. In a letter shortly afterwards despatched to Government by the Com­
missioner in Sind—Sir W. Merowether,
No. 393 of 11th September 1868. alluding to the State of Kelat, thus
expresses bimsolf:—
"There is, however, another reason why it is most expedient that every means should bo
adopted now to strengthen this little State as a friendly outwork, and that nothing should be
ventured on that which might weaken it or turn it from us, apart from the disturbed 6tato of
Afghanistan and the important events which have lately occurred in Central Asia, all
matters for the greatest consideration. There is a menace nearer to our doors which may
call for immediate notice, and in the meeting of which the position and value of the Kelat
Kbauate will have a very important beariug.