Page 162 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

140 Part V-Ohap. XXXII,
of such a station in tho event of disputes with Persia or disturbances in that
country, bocauso in such an event wo could at once occupy any island we chose
in tho Gulph.
279. It remained to bo considered how far our withdrawing would affeot
the Imam, to whoso interests his zeal and fidelity to tho allinnco roquired that
wo should pay every attention. His groat anxiety that wo should remain
sufficiently evinces the danger he apprehonded from an opposite mcaauro; but
it would only bo from tho revival of tho piratical tribes that ho ontorlaincd
apprehonsions; against thorn wo should still bo obliged to afford him occasional
assistance, and he could soarcoly complain of tho inconvonionoo arising from tho
long intervals at which that aid would bo afforded, when ho saw that our own
interests suffored almost as much as his from tho necessity of such a course of
action: our rotroat would probably contribute to romovo any dissatisfaction
botwoon him and Persia, which State it seemed likoly that ho would conciliate
by a removal of tho confederacy against Bahrein, which formorly dropt at our
interposition. His doing so would no doubt hasten the commencement of the
disorders that might bo expected in tho Gulph; but wo should not bo ontitlod,
when wo had withdrawn our own support to requiro of tho Imam any
measure that might injure him with tho most powerful State in his immediate
neighbourhood.
279-A. Tho Government of Bombay’s opinion was therefore that wo should
ultimately rotiro from Kishm; if wo were to retire wo should, however, they
thought, take advantage of tho timo allowed by tho King of Porsia’s own
proposal, and in tho interim apprise the Imam of the probability of our with­
drawing from tho Porsian Gulf.
To Persia wo might say that the timo the Shah had allowed for a refer­
ence to England would probably be sufficient for purpose as our occupation
was only to bo temporary; and that at all events the decision of His Majesty’s
Government would of course be binding on the authorities in India; but in
this and in all other communications, the utmost care should be taken to avoid
pronouncing an opinion on any claim which the Imam of Maskat might
possess to Kishm.
Whenever the troops should be withdrawn, it seemed necessary that it
should be to India, as our stationing them on the continent either of Persia or
Arabia could not fail sooner or later to involve us in the politics of those
countries.
The Government of India approved of the views of the Bombay Gov­
ernment (letter dated 4th May 1892).
280. From news however that soon after reached Bushire, it appeared that
Captain Willock, His Majesty’s Chargd d*Affaires at Teheran, apprehended
the necessity of quitting the Persian Court, and that in all probability war
with that Government would ensue. There were rumours also that the King
of Persia had communicated to the Imam of Maskat that he required
12,000 Tomans as rent for the Island of Kishm with the Town of Bunder
Abbas, Menow, Kumir and some other places, but that the Imam would not
pay more than the present rent, which was 4,000 Tomans.
A large force was also said to have assembled near Bunder Abbass, to
enforce the King of Persia’s demand or resume his territory and there was
also a report that the Imam was daily expected at Kishm.
281. The news from Persia were yet indistinct. Captain Willock had
Bombay Oov.rvm.nt Mt.r datm 20th May ^oeived letters from Lord Londondeiy
1823 with Government of India, Voi. 91 of1822, discouraging tho Persian Mission to Great
yage 116. Britain till the accomplishment of which
the Persians had agreed to suspend their proceedings regarding Kishm. It was
also understood from private accounts that groat ofienoe had been given to
Persia by our Minister’s refusal to pay the arrears of subsidy in consequence of
the conduct of Persia towards the Porte. On th« 21st of March the Cbargd
d* Affaires had no expectation of a rupture, and on the 29th he found it necessary
to demand his passports. Further, two cossids charged with dispatches had
returned from within two stages of Teheran in consequence of orders sent by
the Chargd d’Affaires.