Page 391 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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“Sir Henry Green reported some timo baolc tho entrance of tho Persian force into
Scistan, and its establishment there. Lately 1 had tho honour of forwarding a letter from
Vide supra. Captain Ro6b, Assistant Political Agent, Mekran.
*
“I havo since received a further communication, * * forwarding oxtraot from a
lettor from Sirdar Faquir Mahomed, of Kcj, to the following effect:—
ut When I enmo to Pnrond u lotter was received from the Padshaio (Persian authorities)
to furnish 2,000 sheep and 2,000 maunds of ghee for rations for Bampur, ns 8,000 troops and
eight guns «ro coining against Kcj. A letter was also written to Sirdar Mir Ilosnain Khan,
that the army will oomo by the Sirhnz route ; end to keep the road clear of his men/ It is
possible that nothing is immediately intended in this; that it is only a feeler put out to see
how euoh action would bo received and noticed. But it shows pretty clearly that there is a
tendeucy on tho part of l’orsia to attempt to advance its frontier eastwards, whioh it is
necessary to provide against in every poseiblo way. Copies of Captain ltoss's communication
have been forwarded to Colonel Felly at Bushirc, and to Colonel Phayre at Jacobabad, for
information, and for any further intelligence on tho subject they may bo ablo to obtain.
Their replies will be forwarded hereafter. It remains now to consider whether anything can
be done to improve the position of the Khan of Kelat."
53. Some weeks later in tbe samo year Captain Ross again addressos tho
No. 133 of 12th October. Commissioner in Sind :—
“ The result of my late enquiries is, that the fact of the Bampur Governor, or Serheng,
having expressed in letters to Mir Abdullah of Geh his intention of proceeding against Kej
is confirmed hevond doubt. Two lettors were received from Kerman by Mir Abdullah to
that effect. No actual movement of troops has occurred, nor has Ibrahim Kliau himself
returned from Bampur.
“ Mir Abdullah has just been ordored by Ibrahim Khan to collect the revenue of his
districts, and repair with it to Bampur to meet Ibrahim Khan.
“Tho Gitchki Chief, Mir Bayan, of Kej, recently visited Mir Abdullah for the purpose of
speaking to him about tho rumoured expedition ; and, I am informed, requested Mir Abdullah
to oppose the project.
“Tho Chief of Dustyori, with whom I am well acquainted, and who is a reliable
person, has promised to forward me intelligence, should any further stops be taken by the
Persians.
“ There is reason to bopo that the design, if at first sincerely conceived, will not now be
proceeded with."
54. On a reference being made to Teberan, in consequence of Captain
Mr. Alison, to tho viceroy, 2ist November Ross’s Reports, Her Majesty’s Minister
1868. forwarded a Statement addressed to him­
self by Mr. Thomson :—
“ I informed the Minister for Foreign Affairs that rumours had reached the Khan of
Kelat's officers, which led them to apprehend that the Governor of Kerman intended sending
a military force into a portion of the Kelat territory; and I enquired of His ICxcolleucy if
there was any foundation for these reports ? Ho replied that it was usual for the Governor of
Kerman to assemble a small force ou the frontiers of Beluchistan from time to time, in order
to maintain bis authority in that quarter, aud that he had heard of the recent departure of
tho Governor from Kerman with this object; but he was not aware that it was his intention
to proceed beyond Bampur with the force under his command. The Kerman Governor’s
Reports, however, he said, wero forwarded to the Mustofi-ul-Memalik s department, and he
would make enquiries there, and ascertain what information had lately been received from
that province: but he thought that, in a case of this sort, the Khan of Kelat, who had the
means of doing so, if be ohose, would have done well to have addressed himself to the
Governor of Kerman directly for any explanations he might require on this subject."
65. At tbe commencement of November, tbe Chief Director of tbe Indo-
European Telegraph arrived in Bombay from England, and proceeded soon
after, in accordance with instructions, accompanied by tbe Assistant Political
Agent, to Gwadur, and other parts of the Mekran Coast, to prepare tbe way
for intended arrangements with tbe local Chiefs. But the then recent death
of Mir Abdullah, by far tbe most notable of these, and the delay in nomination
of a successor, rendered it necessary to defer for a time aotual negotiations.
No. 226 of 7th Dcccmbor 1868 to Socretary Lieutenant-Colonel Goldsmid forwarded,
Bombay Government. however, his proposal for further pro­
1869. ceedings; and on his return to Mekran
Resolution No. 400, 6th February 1869. early in February, received the instruc­
tions of the Government of Bombay to “deal with the Chiefs, west of Kelat
territory, as be should find most advisable when on tbe spot.”