Page 447 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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262. The Commissioner in Sind remarked :—
"TIio letter from Ibrahim Khan is most unbecoming and insolent, and his statement
about Charbar uublushingly untrue.
“The man Ismail has at times, tho Commissioner believes, claimed all nationalities a a it
suited him. Captain Miles has been requested to submit further particulars as to his previous
history/' 1
263. On tho 13th March tho Bombay Government telegraphed :—
“ With reference to your telegram of tho 12th reporting Alison's. It seems to this Gov­
ernment that the position assumed by tho Grand Vizier entirely ignores as to Maskat claims
to Charbar. I think tint it should be clearly understood that our action in no way prejudices
this question, or the Persians will say we h ive recognized their right in the same way that
they pretend that tho Convention of 1870 conceded Charbar to them by fixing Persiau fron­
tier as regards Khelat."
• No. 659-P. This was answered* on 16th March :—
“ Your telegram of 13th. Viceroy sees no ground at present for interference between
Persia and Maskat in respect of their respective claims to Charbar. His Excellency thinks
that tho notion of this Government should be restricted to the protection of British subjocts
and property. Copy of despatch received from the Home Government on this subject will be
sent by post."
261. The Bombay Government submitted (No. 1919, datod 30th March
1872) these observations:—
“ His Excellency the Governor in Council thinks that the assertion of Surtcep Ibrahim
Khan as to the question of the sovereignty of Charbar having been determined by the English
and Persian Commissioners la*t year, should be brought to the notice of the Shah's Govern­
ment. As has already been expressed to the Government of India in his telegram of the 18th
instant, Hi* Excellency in Council is of opinion that care should be taken in all these proceed­
ings that there should not be ih<* slightest foundation for its being said hereafter that the claim
of the Persians bid been recognized in any way by us. It is necessary that this should be
clearly understood, if only for the sake of our character in the Gulf, which should bo above
even the suspicion of bad faith, or our iufluence would rapidly decline."
265. The Government of Inida had
t No. 878-P., dated 11th April 1873.
anticipated tho suggestions and repliedt—
“On the 28th December last the British Minister at Teheran was informed that the
rights of Maskat in Charbar were in no way affected by the Mekran arbitration. He was
ayain so informed by telegraph on tho 6th February 1872 : and in a message dated 29th he
was told that as Maskat wa* a State in long and friendly alliance with the British Government,
no aggression upon her by Persia or any other Power could be countenanced or encouraged.
“ The Government of India has further expressed its willingness to mediate between Per­
sia and Maskat in refeiencc to Charbar if requested to do so by both parties. There seems
therefore, no room fer apprehension that the good faith of the British Government can in any
wajr be called in question. Tbo present correspondence, however, will be forwarded to Her
Majesty's Miuister at Teheran."
266. The Bombay Government in their letter No. 1962, dated 3rd April
to the Government of India, stated :—
“ His Excellency the Governor in Council is of opinion that it should be pointed out to
Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that the boundary line laid down by
General Goldsmid is a settlement as regards the frontier between Persia and Khelat, and in no
way prejudices the claim of Maskat to Charbar, etc., or gives the English Government any
right to aid Persia in possessing herself of territory which already bolpngs to another Power.
It would be well, His Excellency in Council thinks, if this were intimated to the Persian
Government, or they may, and probably will, declare that the absence of any Buch^ communi­
cation, after the request made through Mr. Alison, was equivalent to a recognition of their
right."
267. The answer}: to the Bombay Government was, that, as intimated in
Foreign Department No. 878-P., dated
X No. 1014 P., dated 25th April 1873. 11th April 1872, their suggestions had
already been anticipated by the Government of India.

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