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Persian Government about tlio exclusion of the customs of 8outliem Persia from
foreign control, and of tho Shah’s pledgo not to take any stops of importance,
where British interests wore concerned, before consulting tho British Govern­
ment, ho ended by asking to bo ofhcially informod of tho exact conditions of tho
agreement in question.
272. In his reply on 7th October 1902, tho Mushir-ed-Dowloh took ox-
Sccrct E., Dccombor 1902, No*. 120-130, Enclosure CCption to the WOtd “ agrCOmcnt " being
No. 1. Procsodintf No. 123. applied to tho relations between tho
Persian Government, and one of its ollicials, like Sheikh Kkazal Khan of
Mohammerah. Air. des Graz’s question remained unanswered.
273. On 23rd November 1902, Sir A. Ilardingo telegraphed to Lord
Lansdowno, saying tliat unless wo could I
Ibid, Proceeding No. 125.
give tho Sheikh real coufideucc in our
strength and resolution, Russian influouco would very shortly he supreme and
activo at Mohammerah. Tho recent appointment of a Russian Consul there,
he added, there being absolutely no pretence of Russian trade, had an uumis-
takeable significance.
274 Sir A. Hardingo’s general position was strongly supported by the
Viceroy, who in telegraphing to the Secretary of State on 2Gth November 1902,
said : “ Our weakness in Persia arises largely from failure to support those
Chiefs and ollicials who inclino to our side. If there is a Chief entitled to such
support, it is the Sheikh of Mohammerah, and if thero is a part of Southern
Persia where British interests specially demand protection against foreign I
competition or intrigue, it is tho mouth of the Karan.’1
275. On 2Gth Novomber 1902, Lord Lansdowne telegraphed to Sir A.
Secret e., Juno 1903, No*. 337-356, EucWe Ilardingo that there wero obvious objec-
Ko. i, Proceeding No. 3-ii. tions to a personal guarantee that the
British Government would prevent the Persian Government from diminishing
the Sheikh's authority or otherwise causing him trouble, and that it was not
desirable to place him in the position of being ablo to call upon us to support
him both by land and aea in the event of a threat from Persia with Russia
behind her.
276. On 26th November 1902, Sir A. Hardinge telegraphed to the Marquis I
of Lansdowne that tho Sheikh’s Agent
Ibid, Eocloaaro No. 9, Proceeding No. 345.
had again pressed hard that we should
give a secret written assurance that so long as the Sheikh and his Arabs fol­
lowed our advice, wo should prohibit a further curtailment of their rights.
Sir A. Hardinge was in favour of giving some such intimation both to the
Persians and the Arabs, at the start of the llusso-Belgian Customs regime
at Mohammerah, as the best security against any attempts to cajole or bully
the Sheikh into accepting a veiled Russian Protectorate. Finally an assurance
was given to the Sheikh, which is summarized in the following telegram :—
Sir A. Hardinge, Tehran, to His Excellency the Viceroy, Calcutta.
Telegram, December 4, 1902.
11 To-day the following telegram has been sent to Foreign Office
Your telegram No. S.
My draft lotter to Sheikh, after urging maintenance of good relations with Shah's Gov­
ernment, recapitulates bis Agent’s enquiries last
Secret E., December 1002, No*. 120-130, Pro­
ceeding No. 129. May as to our readiness to protect him against
only dauger he really feared, viz., attempt by ships
of foreign power, either at war with, or acting as pretended friend of, Persia, to depose him
aud deprive Arabs of their ancient rights ; and my reply that ‘ both contingencies were very
unlikely; but that if either arose, we should, in my belief, interfere, provided he had acted
in accordance with our advice; and that our naval power, which was strongest in Gulf, would
be employed to prevent forcible action against him.’ I propose now to add following sentence
embodying Your Lordship’s own words : 11 stated; however, that I should have to refer these
questions to the Foreign Minister of the British Government; and he has now authorised mo
to say that we shall protect Mohammorah against naval attaok, by a foreign powor, whatever
pretext for such attack may be alleged ; and also, so long as you remain faithful to the Shah,
and act in accordance with our advice, will continue to givo you our good offices nud support.