Page 73 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CHAPTER V.
The obBtacleB in the way of British enterprise on Karun River.
154*. The main difficulties the Lynch Company had to contend with arose
from tho working of tho Karun River Navigation Regulations quoted above
(paragraph 1*13). They had been conceived in no generous spirit, and were
enforced by tho local officers w ith a rigour, that gives colour to tho suspicion
that tho Persians wished that tho British navigators should gain as little as
possible out of tho grant. The Persian authorities bad therefore recourse to a
scries of obstructive tactics and evasions, which frequently drove the only
British Company that undertook tho enterprise almost to despair and which
only their untiring energy aud patience have enabled them to boar.
154-A. This obstructive policy must bo attributed to the suspicion the
Persians have always been labouring undor against foreigners (especially the
British and Russians), of their having in view making political capital out of
their commercial enterprises. There was also at this time a great boom
for commercial enterprises among the Persians, and the air was full of schemes
of Persian Companies for working steamship, road, tramway aud railway
projects. Tho Persians were anxious to allow no foreigners a share in these
projects and were extremely jealous of foreign enterprises within their country.
This anti-forcign feeling probably accounts for the following proclamation that
was issued in the Persian Gazette about the
Golf Adtuioiitration Ucporti, 1883-39.
same time that tho Karun River Regula-
tions were promulgated:—
"Forasmuch as Almighty God has endowed our blessed nature with the attributes of
justico and benignity and ordained us the manifestor of his ordinances and power, and ha9
especially committed to our all-sufficient guardianship the lives aud property of tho subjects of
the devmcly-guarded Empire of Iran; ingratitude for this great gift, we consider it
incumbent on us, discharge of the duties it imposes on us, to relax nothing in ensuring to the
people of this kingdom, tho enjoyment of their right and the preservation of their lives and
property from molestation of oppressors, and to sparo no efforts to tho end that the people,
secure their persons aud property shall, in perfect ease and tranquillity, employ themselves in
affairs conducive to tho spread of civilization and stability.”
Therefore, for the information and re-assuraoce of all the subjects and people of this
kingdom generally, we do proclaim that nil our subjects are free and independent as regards
thoir persons and property; it is our will and pleasure that they should, without fear or doubt
employ their capital in whatever manner they please, and engage in any enterprises, such as
combination of funds, formation of companies for the construction of factories and roads, or
in any measure for tho promotion of civilization and security. The caro of this is taken on
ourselves j and no oue has tho right or power to intefere with, or lay hands on tho property
of Persian subjects, nor to molest their persons or property, nor to punish Persian subjects
except in giviug effect to decrees of the civil or religious law.”
Month of Ramazan 1305 A. II.
155. We shall now detail the various obstacles tho British enterprise had
to contend with on the Karun river.
(i) Erection of warehouses and business premises on the banks of the river.
156. Tho Regulations provide—
“ (6) Shipowners shall not erect any buildings whatsoever, such as coal depots,
warehouses, shops, caravanserais, or manufactories, etc., ou tho banks of the
river.
” (7) For the storage of merchandise and coal, depots and warehouses as well as
lauding places in lutficiont quantity will be constructed on tho part of the
Persian Government or Persian merchants.
“ (13) No ono belonging to any vessel has any right whatsoover to buy, 6ell or
murtgago, etc., any proporty from or to any Persian subject.”
156-A. Now under the Treaty of Turkoman Ohai, British merchants would be
clearly entitled to purchaso property sufficient for a dwelling house with ware-
houses and business premises, which right is nullified by tho above quoted Regu­
lations. As entitled by the treaty, the Lynch Company requested permission to
acquire two acres of land at Mobammerah and Abwaz, by sale or lease, which
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