Page 51 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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It is sufficiently obvious what considerations induco Russia to encourage Fronch designs,
and woro Persia to bo guided in suck matters by that power, it would indeed bo blind
infatuation. Tho establishment of the French on the Karun would naturally be distasteful
to England, firstly, booauso it would interforo with tho commercial advantages she may
legitimately hopo for, and which have been, in a manner, promised ; secondly, because political,
intriguo might be oxpcctcd to result. Arabistan is a oountry peculiarly open to such intrigue,
and tho Persian Government can rely on tho British not taking advantage of that circums­
tance, no thoy hnvo beforo thorn tho oxperionco of many yoars to show that British officials
carefully abstain from political intrigue for which thero can bo no object.
Tho proposal to open the navigation of the Karun, or the trado of that region, originated
ontirely from a firm of British merchants, not from any governmental prompting. Tho
proposal has been supported by tho British Government, because it obviously will bo advantage­
ous to British commerce, and any political results that may eusue on a British concession will
tako tho form of strengthening Persia by development of her resources, and drawing closor
the bonds of unity and friendship between the two.countries.

Tho abovo are merely personal opinions, the expressions of which wero elicitod by a special
private request. They are not entitled to any official importance, not being written under
authority. They should, therefore, bo considered and treated as privato and personal.
Bubdibe;
Th» 7 th January 16Q2. } (Sd.) £. C. Ross.