Page 41 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CHAPTER III.
Karan River Navigation and Irrigation schemes, 1881-1883.

92. Our records from 18S1 to 1883 aro again laden with interesting corres­
pondence on the Karun river question. A precis of this correspondence was
complied by Mr. F. DeLoffoe, in 1883, and as it is full and exhaustive, no apology
is needed to reproduce it hero, without repeating tho work in a new and briefer
form, at a time when tho whole question of the Karun river navigation is being
reconsidered. Tho correspondence is treated under 4 heads (i).—History, (ii).—
Navigability (iii).—Trade Routes, and (iv).—-General remarks
(i).-—niSToav, 1881-83.

93. After tho 8hah'a peremptory rofusal to open tho Karun river for. na­
vigation, 1879, the question was not taken up again till March 18sl. At that
time Persia was threatened by a Kurdish invasion, and the Shah was very des­
irous of oorniug to an understanding with the Sultan, who could easily prevent
the invasion by removing the leader, Sheikh Obeidullah, from the frontior.
Tho Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, talking to Mr. Thomson on this sub­
ject, promised that if Her Majesty’s Government would use their influence at
Constantinople in order to effect the desired understanding, the Persian Govern­
ment would open the Karun for navigation and construct a road from Shuster
to Teheran.0 The British Ambassador
0 Secret, June 1881, Hos. 152*162.
did make representations at Constantino­
ple as desired by the Persian Government, but it appears that the eventual re­
moval of Sheikh Obeidullah from the fron­
t 8eerct, May 1882, No*. 321 376, K.-W.
tier was at Teheran principally attributed
to Russian influenoe.f
94. In June 1881 the Zil-us-Sultan was appointed Governor ofFarsnnd
Arabistan. He immediately tried to establish friendly relations, with the Resi­
% Deal-official from Colonel Bou, dated 11th dent, Persian Gulf, and Colonel Ross sug­
▲uguit 1881. gested that be might be able to effect the
Secret, May 1882, No*. 82137-6, K.-W.
opening of the Karun River.t
95. In October it was reported that the French seemed desirous of establish­
ing relations with Mobammerah, and
1 Secret, May 18S2, Not.821.376.
Colonel Ross was then asked to report
officially on the Karun question. §
96. Meanwhile Mr. Thomson had been instructed to communicate the
result of the steps taken at Constantinople to the Persian Government, and to
re-open the Karun navigation question with reference to the promise made by
the Shah*s Minister for Foreign Affairs.
97. Mr. Thomson’s first reference to the Persian Government, dated 6th
July 1881, remained unanswered. He then sent a reminder in September, and
this was replied to in an evasive manner on the 19th October. Tho Shah was
much opposed to the concession, and finally referred tho matter to the Zil-us
Sultan who at that time has gone to Teheran. Mr. Thomson consequently en­
tered into correspondence with the Prince, and as the Zil-us-Sultan bad inform­
ed Colonel Ross that he would arrange the matter if be were promised a decora-
tion, Mr. Thomson was authorized to give the requested promise, on condition
that a satisfactory arrangement could be
| Secret, May 1882, No*. 321-376.
effected. ||
98. In January 1882 Colonel Ross sent his report on the Karun river, vide
Appendix I to this chapter.
99. It should here be remarked that, while the Resident in his communica­
tions with the Zil-us Sultan worked for a special concession for British vessels
to navigate the Karun, the Minister at Teheran simply wished to obtain permis­
sion for tho vessels of all nations to navigate the river. Colonel Ross was of
opinion that, if such a general permission were given, the Government of India
should immediately subsidize the British India Steam Navigation Company, so
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