Page 67 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

51
CHAPTEH IV.
Opening of the Karun to the Navigation to the Commerce of all
nations, 1888-89.
133. In the year 18S7 there were in tho air two schemes for facilitating
secret e., Juno 1898. No«. is to so. commercial intercourse between the
(No-. 48 to 62). Persian Gulf and Tohoran. One was a
Railway from Mohammcrali to Teheran. Tho Company, which was to undertake
this project, was to have the security of half of the surplus over the then
existing customs of Mohammerah, Bushire and Shuster, but the Company
could not interfere in tho administration of tho Railway. The Persian Govern­
ment undertook to open Karun to navigation themselves, and to run their own
steamers. The Railway concession as it stood did not meet with tho views of
tho British Legation and Her Majesty’s Government could not see their way
to give any guarantee.
134. The other scheme was to give the monopoly of trade on tho Karun to
Secrei E.t June 1888, Nob. 48-80. a Persian Syndicate headed by one Malik-
(No*. 63-72). et-Tujjar, a Persian born in British India
and an adventurer, whose loyalty to the British cause could not be always
trusted. The scheme was strongly backed by Amin-cs-Sultan, who was at the
helm of the Persian administration at this time. If ever the covetted con­
cession was granted to this Syndicate, it was of utmost importance that British
capitalists should have a large share in it, with a view to secure the British
interests on the Karun. An exclusively Persian monopoly, it was feared, would
be worked prejudicially to British commercial interests. Sir A. Nicolson
therefore instructed Colonel Ross to sound Malik, and it was fouud that the
latter welcomed the proposal of an Anglo-Persian Syndicate.
136. Meanwhile Mr. G. 0. Mackenzie (of Gray, Paul & Co.) wrote to the
Foreign Offioe urging the importance of
Ibid No. 72.
supporting any inclination on the part of
the Persian Government to open up tho navigation of tho Persian Government
by any moans, even that of a Persian compauy, if such could be established, as
ho was confident that anything to effect this end, however small, must produce
results of tho very greatest importance to England.
136. There arrived at this stago Sir H. Drummond Wolff, as Her Majesty’s
8ecret E., January 18S9, Nob. 46-90. Minister at Teheran, whoso diplomacy,
(No. 68.) after much clover manoeuvering, secured
for U9 the virtual monopoly of tho Karun trade—though in the shape of its
opening to tho commerce of tho world. The difficulties our Minister had to
face were manifold and of a serious nature. The first important move made
was a note dated 18th September 1888 addressed by him to the Persian Gov­
ernment, in which he referred to the repeated promises made by the Shah to
open the Karun to the trade of the world and to improve the communications
between the Persian Gulf and Northern Persia, and pointed out that, as it was,
Persia was closed to the commerce of the world, that the northern routes passed
through other states and that the traffic passing through them was subject to
other than Persian legislation. It was also made clear to the Shah's Govern­
ment that the British did not seek any exclusive privileges to themselves, but
that as allies and friends of Persia, whose integrity and independence Her
Majesty’s Government had guaranteed, they were entitled to give their advice
on the subjeot. Ho concluded “ Her Majesty’s Government therefore, as
the friends and allies of Persia, have instructed me to enquire when they may
expect that the assurances and promises given may be oarried into effect, and
they trust that the official answer they receive may be in full accordance with
those feelings of friendship and cordial understanding between the two coun­
tries, which it is the desire of Her Majesty’s Government to consolidate and
maintain.”
137. This note was delivered into tho hands of Amin-es-Sultan by Mr.
8. Churchill. It was found that the
Ibid Nob. 69-76.
8hah was favourably disposed towards
the proposal to open tho navigation of the Karun River to the oommeroe of