Page 363 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

49
financial circles, the overtures which had been made had met with a very cold response in
the city.
I replied that that might be so, but that the question was still under discussion.
I went on to say that whilst these were our feelings with regard to the commercial
exits in the Persian Gulf, we entertained the strongest objection to, and should certainly
oppose, any attempt on the part of other Powers to create strategical bases or fortified har­
bours in those waters. The necessity for taking every precaution against such an event
had been strikingly illustrated by the example of Batoum, with which His Excellency was,
of course, perfectly familiar.
HU Excellency having referred to our ‘'mefiance" of Russia in those regions, I said
that it bad been my earnest wish to arrive at an amicable understanding with Russia in
regard to Persian as well as Chinese affairs, and that I had made a "tentative " in that
direction, but unfortunately without success.
The above conversation, on both sides, was quite informal, but it is as well that I
should report the substance of it to/Your Excellency.

C643FD