Page 167 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

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*cction of tho Bahrainis and subjects of the Trucial Chiefs might stand over.
Pfr0kaJScrtcd that Persia had no intontion of alienating any islands in. the
{*flrSian Gulf to any Foreign Power, either now or in tho future, and he autho-
. His Majesty’s Minister to take official act of this statement which ho said
^uld ho inserted in a written agreement.
On the 8tb March, the following amended conditions wero imposed by
Sir £• Qr°y *n ^ lowing terms :—
•* X. Acceptance of our proposal respecting control over expenditure and
respecting the tender systems for purchases.”
“2. A written arrangement respecting tlie lighting and buoying of the
Gulf. AVc do not- insist on mention in this of question of policing
territorial waters otherwise than for nccessaiy protection of lights
and buoys, provided that His Majesty’s Minister had a verbal
assurance that no question will be raised to our prescriptive
rights in tho Gulf generally.”
•* 3. If wo take note of tho Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs* assu-
ranee not to alienate any Persian islands in the Gulf to any
Foreign Power it might be quoted hereafter as aa admission on
our part of Persian rights in Bahrain.”
*‘It should, therefore, he made clear that His Majesty’s Government main
tain tlicir attitude in regard to the protection of Bahrainis and Trucial subjects
and, in refraining from pressing their request for Per-ian recognition of this
claim, do so only on tho understanding that their rights will not be disputed in
practice.”
finally on April 7th the following instructions were sent:—
“ An regards lighting and buoyage of Persian Gulf, His Majesty’s
Government consider that, unless there was reason to think that
the Persian Government would now accept proposed stipulation
as regards formal agreement in terms set forth in the 2nd
clause above, the best course would he to withdraw it altogether.
"When informing the Persian Government that it was withdrawn,
His Majesty’s Minister was to add that His Majesty’s Government
regard themselves as possessing a prescriptive right to the control
of the lighting arrangements in the Gulf, which, if occasion arose,
they would not hesitate to enforce.”
The final conditions of the loan were set foi-th in aide memoires exchanged
between His Majesty’s Minister and the Vosuk-ud-Dowlcli. In either ense,
the concluding paragraphs, as concerning matters in which this Residency
has a vital interest may perhaps he quoted in extenso.
The Minister’s note concludes as follows :—
“ His Majesty’s Government had hoped that, in view of the benevolent
attitude adopted towards Persia in the matter- of the disorders on
the southern trade routes, which have led to assaults upon British
officials and seriously affected British trade and of the readiness
displayed to assist Persia financially, the Imperial Government
would have been disposed to come to a definite understanding
with the British Government, concerning certain questions
connected with tie Persian Gulf, such as the buoyage and light­
ing, and the recognition of the right of British Consular Officers
to protect certain persons.”
” Seeing, however, that tho Persian Government are reluctant to under­
take the responsibility of making' a satisfactory written arrange­
ment upon the subject, His Majesty’s Government have deciaed
to wi tharaw tho demands which were put forward i as a condition
of tho advance of £100,000 on behalf of the- gendarmerie of
Fare; but in doing so they wish it to bo understood that they
regard themselves as possessing a prescriptive right to control
tho lighting and buoyage arrangements in the Gulf* which, if
occasion arose,, they would not hesitate to enforce.”
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