Page 311 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

PREFACE.

This Prdcis deals with the evidences of foreign activity in the Persian
Gulf and the measures taken or proposed to be taken for the maintenance and
extension of the British interests in the Gulf. Many of the matters that might
be included in this Prdcis have been already anticipated in other Prdcis as
shown below :—

Subjects. Precis in which dealt with.

Extension of the Turkish influence in the Pricis on Turkish expansion in the Persian
Gulf. Gulf and Plasa and Kali/ Affairs.
Pretensions of foreign powers in Bahrein. Pricis of Bahrein Affairs, 1854—igod
(Part J/)%
Encroachments of the Turks in Katar. Pricis of Katar Affairs.
Opening of the Karun river to navigation Pricis of Persian Arabist an Affairs.
and Karun irrigation schemes.
British rights on the Turkish Arabian Pricis of Turkish Arabia Affairst 1801—
rivers. I9°S {P°rt HI)*
Intrigues of the French in Maskat and the Pricis of Maskat Affairs, 1892—190$.
French Flag Question.
Turkish intrigues at Koweit and Nejd. Pricis of Koweit Affairs.
Appointment of Consular Officers and build- Persian Coast and Islands Pricis, Chapter
•ing of Consulates. V.
Quarantine arrangements in the hands of Pricis on Epidemics in the Persian Gulf.
British Officers.
Improvement of mail and steam boat Pricis on Persian Gulf Commerce.
service.
Indian troops stationed at Jask and Chabar. Mekran Pricis, Chapters VIII (:) and (iii)
and X (iii) and XI.
Relations with the Sheikh of Mohammerah. Arabistan Pricis.
Arms question. Arms Trade Pricis.
Action as regards Abu Musa, Tamb, Sirri Persian Coast and Islands Pricis, i8$4—
islands. J90$, Chapter VIII.
Establishment of Belgian Customs Adminis­ Persian Coast and Islands Pricis, i8$f—
tration in Persia and the new tariff. J90$.
The correspondence on the following subjects is dealt with in the compila­
tion of Pronouncements as to Policy in regard to Persia, etc. (or called Persian
Pledges) :—
(1) Railways, Tramways, etc., in Southern Persia.
(2) The customs of Southern Persia.
(3) British interests in Southern Persia.
The “ spirited ” active policy adopted by the British Government in the
maintenance of their interests in the Persian Gulf during the first five years of
Lord Curzon’s administration has perhaps recently undergone a change to that
of passive vigilance, as appears from the following telegram (dated 28th February
1905) of the Secretary of State to the Viceroy in connection with the proposed
agreement with the Chief of Katar (Secret E., March 1905, Nos. 795-800):—
” At the present time when a general sense of insecurity and suspicion
prevails in the neighbourhood of the Persian Gulf, His Majesty’s Government are
unwilling to raise any question touching the status quo in this quarter. They
propose to refer for examination by the Defence Committee the whole question
of our policy on this region.”
29th January 1906. J. A. SALDANHA.
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