Page 318 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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which line was intented later on to be continued through Tabriz, Tehran and
Ispahan to the Persian Gulf.
ao. In April 1900 the Sultan of Maskat asked the opinion of the Political
Agent regarding the alleged Russian
Russian designs on Meiran, 1900.
Seciet E., July 1900, Nos. *n• 112. designs in Mekran as represented by the
Russian newspapers and enquired whether
they wanted Gwadur. Neither the Political Agent nor the Government of India
had any knowledge of any such designs.
a 1. In January 1900, the Russian Government sanctioned a loan by the Bank
de PrGts to Persia of 22J million roubles
Russian loan to Persia. on the following terms :—
Secret E., Much 1900, Nos. 5*53-
(1) Interest and sinking fund for extinction of loan in 75 years to be guaran­
teed by all the customs revenue of Persia exclusive of those of Fars and the
Persian Gulf ports. In default of payment the Bank may eastablish control of
the said revenues. (2) The Persian Government not to conclude, without
the consent of the Bank, any fresh foreign loan until the present loan is
extinguished.
22. In September 1900, a rumour emanated from the Persian Foreign Office
to the effect that a new loan of i7 million
S«cr«t E., December 1900, Nos. 43-59.
roubles was to be made by Russia, the pro­
ceeds to be devoted for fortifications and for arms for Southern Persia, especially
Bandar Abbas.
23. In June igoo, movements were
Secret E., September 1900, Nos. 139-136.
reported of a Russian traveller M.
Pellenberg in Arabistan.
24. During the year 1900, ” parties of Russian Engineers, with Persian
passports Persian escorts, and Persian offi­
Russian railway projects in Persia.
Secret E., May 19^ Not. 97*101. cial encouragement, were found openly tra­
Secret E., March 1900. No*. ]03is6. velling about in Southern Persia inspecting
Secret E., August iqoo, Nos. 37-65.
Secret B., September 1900,1 Nos. 7(^77. and surveying the lines of possible railways
and concluding their studies by a close
investigation of the character and capabilities of the terminal ports on the
Persian Gulf.
25. Early in 1900, the Russian cruiser Gilyak visited the Persian Gulf.
Russian cruiser Cilyah in the Gulf, 1900. The Commodore was reported to have made
Secret E-, June 1900, Nos. 113-314. overtures to the Governor of Bandar Abbas
for a coaling station. The Russian Gov­
ernment, however, declared that they had no intention to acquire coaling or other
stations in the Persian Gulf and that the Commodore of the Gilyak was distinctly
ordered not to entertain any such idea. The Gilyak was said to have taken
the Sheikh of Koweit a present from the Russian Consul at Baghdad.
26. Information was received to the effect that a certain M. Soromiatnikoff
«, Fmi.n c.'f. £aS despatched in .900 to the ports of the
Persi* and Arabit Confidential Print, section Persian Gulf for the Special purpose Ot
95-98. studying the trade at those ports. On his
return he submitted to M. de Witte a report
onj the results of his mission. The following recommendations were made by
him:—
(i) The establishment of a line of regular steamers subsidised by the
Russian Government to conduct a trade in Russian products at
the Southern ports of Persia.
(ii) The establishment of a Russian bank at one of the ports in the
Persian Gulf, also a Consulate and Vice-Consulate protected by
a strong guard of Cossacks. The stationing of at least one
Russian vessel of war in the Persian Gulf, and the establishment
of a coal depdt at Bushire and another at Basrah.

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