Page 326 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

12
75* In March 1903 it was reported that a contract had been con-
Regular Russian steamer tervief to the Gulf. eluded between the Imperial Government
Secret E., August 1903, No*. 143*150. and the Russian Steam Navigation and
Trading Company for a regular service of steamers to tho Persian Gulf.
An annual subsidy of 200,000 roubles was promised to the Company for ten
years in consideration of four sailings in the year. In 1903 the Company pro­
posed to utilize the KornUoff and Trouver for the four sailings from Odessa.
76. The Russian Ministry of Finance took several other measures, for
encouraging the exchange of merchandise by sea between Russia and Persia ;
invited Russian manufacturers and merchants to send their agents to the Gulf,
etc. The Russian Steam Navigation and Trading Company decided also to
hold permanent exhibitions of Russian industries.
77. According to a telegram that appeared in the Novoe Vremya of the 24th
October 1903, the above named Company
Secret E., April 1904, No. 336.
decided to establish an independent regular
service from Odessa to the Persian Gulf and that special steamers were to be
acquired by the Company for the purpose.
78. With a view to encourage this company, it appears that the Russian Gov­
ernment allows certain classes of English
Secret E., July 1905, Nos. 394*395*
goods, notably Indian teas, carried by the
Company's vessels from the Gulf to Batoum in the Black Sea, to be carried
across the Caucasus free of transit duties to Baku and thence by the Caspian Sea
to Persia. This would have also the effect of competing with the caravan routes
in Southern Persia.
79. In bis letter No. 44, dated 30th January 1905, Major Grey reported
that Sayyid Mahomed bin Said, son of
Reported intention of the Russian Government
to piace an agent in charge of the customs the Sultan's late Wazir, brought for his
at Gvoadur 1905, perusal a letter received from a Persian
Secret E., May 1905, Nos. 409*415.
known as Sadid-us-Sultaneh, the Agent
at Lingah, stating that the Russian Government intended to place an agent
of their own in charge of the Customs at Gwadur and asked for information
regarding the following points:—
(a) The name of the present farmer and the price paid by him to the
Sultan.
(£) The total yearly receipts.
(f) Differential treatment (if any).
id) Other particulars.
80. Under instructions from Major Grey, in order to avoid raising suspicion
in the mind of the Russian Agent, Sayyid Mahomed replied giving the necessary
information and further development was awaited.
8o-A. In his letter No. 102, dated 21st February 1905, Major Grey reported
that a reply was received from the Russian Agent expressing thanks for the
information supplied, and stating that the representatives of the Russian Govern­
ment would move in the matter of the Gwadur Customs when they had com­
pleted their history of. Maskat. Major Grey could form no idea of what was
referred to.
8o-B. When the Russian cruiser Gilyak arrived at Bandar Abbas on the 14th
February 1900, it was met there by a collier
Russian coal at Bandar Abbas.
with 300 tons of coal. A portion of this
coal her captain intended to leave at Bandar Abbas to be called for on her return
journey. The Deputy Governor, however, refused, to allow him to store the coal
at the place, and the captain thereupon put on board as much as he could stow
away and left Bandar Abbas, relinquishing two boatloads containing about 10
tons. The owners of the boats applied to the Deputy Governor, who ultimately
consented to store this coal in a godown at the time belonging to a Persian sub­
ject now residing at Lingah.