'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES.' [‎71] (79/114)

APPENDIX. 71
there is no doabt that in the Gulf, as in other parts of Persia, we
are feelinof very keenly the competition of other Powers. That,
I am afraid, is our fate not only in Persian waters ; nor can we
expect, because we have been in the development of commerce
throughout the world the pioneers of thatformof civilisation, that
we shall always be able to maintain the position of superiority
which we at first enjoyed. The noble lord asked me for a state
ment of our policy with regard to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , I think I
can give him one in a few simple words. It seems to me that our
policy should he directed in the first ■place to protect and promote
British trade in those waters. In the next place I do not think that
he suggests, or thot we should suggest, that those efforts should he
directed towards the exclusion of the legitimate trade oj other Powers.
(Hear, hear.) In the third place—I say it without hesitation—we
should regard the establishment of a naval base or of a fortified port
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. by any other Power as a, very grave menace to
British interests, and we should certainly resist it with all the means
at our disposal. (Cheers.) I say that in no minatory spirit,
because, so far as I am aware, no proposals are on foot for the
establishment of a foreign naval base in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . I at
least have heard of none ; and I cannot help thinking that the
noble lord waxed almost unnecessarily warm at the idea of such a
foreign intrusion, with which, so far as I am aware, we are not at
present threatened. Well, the noble lord then touched upon a series
of points connected with our commercial interests in the Gulf.
Lord Lamington. —As supporting our political position.
The Marquis of Lansdowne. —It is impossible, to my mind, to
dissociate our commercial and our political interests.
Lord Lamington. —I agree.
The Marquis of Lansdowne. —I will take the navigation of the Karun Eiver.
Karun River. That was opened in 1888. I was in India at the
time, and I well remember the satisfaction with which Sir Drum-
mond Wolff's achievement on that occasion in procuring the
opening of the river to navigation was regarded both in India
and at home. The trade of the Karun, although it has not
increased perhaps as much as might have been anticipated, has
increased considerably; and the lion's share of it is ours. I see
that in 1897 the trade was only 26,000/., whereas in 1900 it had
risen to over 1,000,000Z. The noble lord spoke of the difficulties
encountered by our traders owing to the Customs arrangements
on the Karun. I do not know whether I quite followed what he
said on the subject, but I may tell your lordships that the position
is this. We were originally led by the Persian Government to
expect that three Custom-houses would be maintained on the
Karun, one at Mohammerah, the second at Ahwaz, and the third
at Sinister. It appears that lately the Persian Customs authorities
determined to do away with inland Custom-houses, and con
sequently two of these were threatened with suppression. Well,
persons interested in foreign trade naturally protested. It was a
great inconvenience to them that goods destined for one of th^