Page 402 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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protcnsioni. I asked explanation of the object of thi* 'alternative, but the Minister gave mc
none more distinct than that apprehension was cntcrlaiuod of the intervention of some other
Power."
It was agreed that this proposal should be communicated in writing.
88. On the 21st, General Goldsmid telegraphed to the Foreign Secre­
tary
“ Supposing existing frontier accepted, would Government guarantee arrangements solely
in tho interest of Kholat Khau and his dcscondauls; or what similar assurance could Persia
expect?"
The Foreign Socretury replied on tho 23rd :—
“ Whatever assurances Persian Government may give for preservation of boundary and
maintenance of peace, if sufficient, wc should have little difficulty in obtaining similar assur­
ances from Khan for hirasolf and descendants. See Treaty of 1851 as to our power to keep
Khan to his pledges."
And in reply to a telegram from Mr. AHsod, similar to that from General
Goldsmid above-quoted, the Foreign Secretary telegraphed on tho 28th :—
“ Khclat is no doubt an independent State on British frontier, hut hound to us by engage­
ments contained in Treaty of 1851, of which, I presume, you have copy. Articlo 8 hinds
Khan to subordinate co-opi-rntion, and to abstain from negotiations with other Powers without
our consent. Explain these provisions to Shah's Minister.
“ Quostion of boundary cannot affect political position of Khelat or its relations with us.
Reference to independence not understood."
89. Mr. Alison, having on the 29th August telegraphed that the line of
boundary accepted by the Shah was described in Goneral Goldsmid’s letter of
13th April 1871, was on the 1st September thanked by the Foreign Secretary
on the part of the Viceroy, and congratulated for the result of hia negotiations.
Similar thanks and congratulations were 6ent to General Goldsmid.
90. Here I quote an important extract from General Goldsmid’s final
report of his proceedings to theSecretary of State, dated 9th November 1871:—
" Without dwelling upon the political advantages of a defined frontier in a country like
Mekran, the geography of which, aud notably the valley of Kedj, exhibits an easy passage to
India from the westward, 1 cannot but express a hope that tne settlement recently brought
about will prove a lasting benefit to the iuhabitants on either side the now acknowledged
border. Khelat, especially, should encourage her cultivating classes to increased efforts to im­
prove the 6oil by free grants, remissions, and reductions rather than additional taxation, and
attention should be given to maintain within tho Khan's assigued limits, a contented and non-
intriguing population.
w An under-current of suspicion has been apparent on the part of Persia throughout the
late enquiry. It is as though she were continually desirous of putting a question to which
delicacy or fear allowed no 6hupe or substance ; aud if there can be right or reason in any sub­
version of the laws of meum, and luum, it might he a hard one to answer. Expressed in words
should he much as follows,—‘Why should the small and unknown State of Khelat, whose natu­
ral limitsare Jhalawanand Sarawan, retain tracts to the westward as far as Kedj and Punjgo-r,
which Persia could possess herself of without a struggle ? These tracts, had they power, would
be independent; not having power to be independent, they are as fair prey to the strongest
neighbour.'. In tacit reply, as it were to this, it would he very desirable that Khelat should,
under British advice, show herself in some degree worthy of British interference in holding
the tracts assigned to her ; and substantial proof of her capability in such respect would,
I respectfully submit, be a better guarantee for the maintenance of the status authoritatively
declared aud accepted, than a mere trust in a settlement effected by British mediation. If,
on the other hand, Khelat ►hows herself weak aud disorganized, without a recognized Khan
and real Government, a prey to internal revolution and political intrigue, a bait will be thrown to
the aggressors across tho frontier which will at least he tempting, and pretences and excuses for
transgression will he supplied where such should be wanting altogether."
91. To turn now from tlie telegraphic to the written correspondence which
terminated in this happy result.
On the 22nd, Mr. Alison went by appointment* to the Persian Minister
• Be« enclosure ii of despatch No. 82, datrd 2Jth for Foreign Affairs to hear a further com-
December, from the Gov«rrnment of India to muuication On the subject. After a Tone-
t e ecietary« tatc. wal of the old arguments, and a suggestion
thrown out that the question should bo referred to London, which Mr. Alison
met by saying that it would certainly be referred back to L’eheran, and that—
“ if the objoot of the Persian Government in raising these difficulties wae to avoid coining
to auy decision on the eubjoct, he, Mr. Alieon, would ho glad to he informed of it for