File 80/1913 Pt 1 'Arabistan: telegraph line' [‎131r] (266/392)

CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 678, dated Bushire, the 27th February (received loth-March) 1914*.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Political Resid
ent in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department,
Simla.
With reference to the correspondence ending with my telegram No. 48,
dated 7th January, I have the honour to
0. 34 77, ate 271 e mary 1913. enclose, for the information of the Govern
ment of India, a copy of a despatch with enclosures which I have addressed to
His Majesty’s Minister with regard to the protection of the Ram Hormuz-
Behbehan section of the Indo-European Telegraph line between Bushire and
Arabistan.
No. 34-677, dated Bushire, the 27th February 1913.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Political Resi
dent in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and His Majesty's Consul-General for Fars,
etc.
To— His Excellency Sir Walter B. Townley, K.C.M.G.
With reference to the correspondence ending with Your Excellency’s tele
gram No. 10, dated January 7th, I have
*0.15-50, dated 37th January 19x0. ^ Jjqjjquj. to f orwa rd, for your information,
a copy of a letter, with enclosure, which was addressed to this Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. by
His Majesty’s Consul at Ahwaz in 1910, with regard to the protection of the
Arabistan Telegraphs line between Behbehan and Ram Hormuz, in event of
its being taken over by the Indo-European Telegraph Department.
Ali Naki Khan, the signatory of the undertaking obtained by Lieutenant
vide enclosure to .hi. office despatch No. 3- Ranking, has since been murdered, but his
997, dated 18th May 1912. successor may not improbably be willing
to abide by the undertaking if tactfully approached.
I am sending a spare copy of this despatch with enclosures in case Your
Excellency may wish to communicate them to the Director, Persian Section,
Indo-European Telegraph Department and am also sending a copy to the Gov
ernment of India.
No. 15-50, dated 27th January 1910.
From— Lieutenant J. G. L. Ranking, His Majesty’s Consul, Ahwaz,
To—L ieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency.
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honour to inform you that while in the Kuhgilu country, Ah Nak 1
Khan, Bahmai, approached me with regard to the question of the projecte
Arabistan Telegraph line, the protection of and supply of labour for which he
said he was willing to undertake, and as a guarantee of his good faith gave me
an undertaking, a free translation of which I forward herewith.
2. Foreseeing that his co-operation would greatly facilitate the work of
construction of the Behbehan-Ramuz Section, 1 accepted his undertaking, at the
same time informing him that the matter was as yet indefinite.
Undertaking given by AH Naki Khan, in connection with the construction of
the Arabistan Telegraph line {Behbehan to Ram Hormuz Section).
I understand from reports which have reached me that the Indo-European
Department contemplate the construction of a line from Behbehan to Kam
Hormuz.