‘A collection of treaties, engagements and sanads relating to India and neighbouring countries’ [‎138] (155/578)

138
PERSIA—NO. XXIV—1919.
No. XXIV.
Agreement between His Britannic Majesty’s Government and the Persian
Government. Signed at Tehran, August 9, 1919.
No. 1.
Agreement between the Governments of Great Britain and Persia.
Preamble : In virtue of the close ties of friendship which have existed between
the two Governments in the past, and in the conviction that it is in the essential
and mutual interests of both in future that these ties should be cemented, and
that the progress and prosperity of Persia should be promoted to the utmost,
it is hereby agreed between the Persian Government on the one hand and His
Britannic Majesty’s Minister, acting on behalf of his Government, on the other,
as follows :—
(1) The British Government reiterate, in the most categorical manner, the
undertakings which they have repeatedly given in the past to respect absolutely
the independence and integrity of Persia.
(2) The British Government will supply, at the cost of the Persian Govern
ment, the services of whatever expert advisers may, after consultation between
the two Governments, be considered necessary for the several departments of
the Persian Administration. These advisers shall be engaged on contracts and
endowed with adequate powers, the nature of which shall be the matter of agree
ment between the Persian Government and the advisers.
(3) The British Government will supply, at the cost of the Persian Govern
ment, such officers and such munitions and equipment of modern type as may
be adjudged necessary by a joint commission of military experts, British and
Persian, which shall assemble forthwith for the purpose of estimating the needs
of Persia in respect of the formation of a uniform force which the Persian Govern
ment proposes to create for the establishment and preservation of order in the
country and on its frontiers.
(4) For the purpose of financing the reforms indicated in clauses 2 and 3 of
this agreement, the British Government offer to provide or arrange a substantial
loan for the Persian Government, for which adequate security shall be sought by
the two Governments in consultation in the revenues of the customs or other sources
of income at the disposal of the Persian Government. Pending the completion
of negotiations for such a loan the British Government will supply on account
of it such funds as may be necessary for initiating the said reforms.
(5) The British Government, fully recognising the urgent need which exists
for the improvement of concirunications in Persia, with a view both to the ex
tension of trade and the prevention of famine, are prepared to co-operate with
the Persian Government for the encouragement of Anglo-Persian enterprise in
this direction, both by means of railway construction and other forms of transport;
subject always to the examination of the problems bv experts which mav be most
necessary, practicable and profitable.