Page 146 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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support of the Persian proposals staled that
Dr. Fnivrc (whose Report Ilis Majesty’s Govern­
ment had not yet seen) had pronounced in favour
of lien jam, the island chosen by the Persian
Government, ns being a suitable position for
the station, while, at the same time, they pointed
out that it would be difficult for thorn to oxplain
to Persia that one of the reasons for which
Great Britain had decided not to accept the
Persian proposal was the incapacity of the
Persian Treasury to hear the expenses. It was
also urged that, if the Persian olfor were declined,
Persia might refuse to ratify the Paris Conven­
tion or make her ratification conditional on
reserves, which would cause still further delay in
bringing the Convention into operation.
At this stage of the discussion Dr. Thomson’s
Heport reached the hands of His Majesty’s
Government in July 1900. Its general conclu­
sions wore opposed to tho creation of a sanitary
station at the entrance to the Gulf, (1) because
it still remained to be proved tlmt epidemics had
been conveyed to Europe by that route;
(2) because a sanitary station at that point would
he ineffective, inasmuch as it would be .evaded by
native sailing craft, the most dangerous class of
shipping; aud (3) because uo suitable position
< ould be found for such a station, ilcnjam,
though upon tho whole the most suitable site in
other respects, being open to serious objections
on account of its climate, its inadequate water
supply, and its lack of provisions.
Dr. Thomson’s own recommendations were
summarized as follows at tho close of his
Heport:—
•• In substance, therefore, the scheme best adapted, in
the circumstances, to securo a reasonable degree of
protection to Europe and the minimum of interference
with commercial interests in tho Gulf of Persia con­
sists in tho perfecting of tho present sanitary stations
at Mohammcrah and Bushire,* the establishment of a
sanitary station at Koweit, and tho creation of a now
station in place of that now existing at Bussorah. • Sani­
tary defonce of tho Gulf based on these lines will afTord a
greater degree of protection to Europe against plague
and cholera than would be secured by a ‘ scutiuol
station ’ nour tho ontrance of the Gulf, combined with
a terminal station at Bussorah, and will not impose on

• Dr. Thomson further considered that there would •' be
advantage to commerce in also fully equipping tho sanitary
station at Hunder Abbas.’