'Persia. Note on the memorandum by Sir M Durand on the situation in Persia - HC 1274 of 1895 [L/PS/3/349].' [‎32r] (1/4)

This document is the property of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India.
Confidential.
1896 .
Persia.
Note on the Memorandum by Sir M. Durand on the situation in
Persia.—H. C., 1274 of 1895.
Por reasons summarised in paragraph 29 of the Memorandum, Sir M.
Durand proposes that the British Government should take over the Bogie
debt on proper security, and save, at “ no cost ” to ourselves, the Persian
Government several thousands of pounds interest. His other recommen
dations are eight in number, viz.,—
(«) the arrangement, in concert with Russia, of a scheme for the public
recognition of the Vali Ahd as successor, on the Shah’s death, to
Persia “ undiminished and unimpaired” ;
(h) investiture, after a delay, of the Vali Ahd with the G.C.B.;
(c) an allowance of 150/. a year to Dr. Adcock as surgeon to the Consul-
General at Tabriz;
{d) an addition of at least 200/. to the salary of the Consul-General at
Tabriz;
(e) a clear understanding that, if Russia advances in the north, we shall
take measures to ensure our hold of the Persian ports, and perhaps
territory, in the south;
(f) the establishment of British officers in Seistan and in Shuster;
(g) the delimitation of the Perso-Baluch frontier;
(h) and, besides other minor measures, the reduction of our expenditure
at Meshed and Resht, with a view to the establishment of more
centres of observation at other points, chiefly in Russian territory.
2. Before these several measures are criticised in detail, it is necessary to
state a few facts already known to Lord George Hamilton, but bearing
directly upon the arguments which follow.
The Vali Ahd, Muzaffer-ed Din, born in 1853, governs Azerbijan, where,
in the words of Mr. Curzon, he is “ immured.” Russia has already agreed
with us to recognise his succession on
Asia Print, 1818. (Sir E. Morier, 123, the death Qf the Shah X» ussia has
isth Apm g 0n e further, and in 1834, 1888, and
more lately in April 1893, has declared itself ready to observe the integrity
and independence of Persia. But the unexpected often occurs, and the
condition of Persia is worse in 1896 than it has ever been before. The
avarice of the Shah has not abated, the depreciation of the currency has
already produced riots, the Governorships are still sold, and the people are
robbed. Literally the country groans. Prom long acquaintance it endures
the present Shah, but it seems that the country would on a succession
willingly sacrifice its independence for good rule. A revolution is a possible
surprise in store for us.
In the next place, it seems that the indolence and weakness of the Vali
Ahd have increased, and that his dependence on, and the favour he shows to,
Russia are greater. A disputed succession is more probable than it was.
The Zil-es-Sultan who rules at Isfahan has, in Mr. Curzon’s opinion, ceased to
be a formidable (actor, hut he is by others regarded as a probably active com
petitor for the throne. Kamran Mirza, the Naib-es-Sultaneh, Governor of
Teheran and Commander-in-Chief, may also be a claimant and might seize
the treasury on the death of the Shah. By the suffrages of the soldiers in
Azerbijan and by the aid of the Shah’s body-guard, even without the active
support of Russia, the Vali Ahd might peacefully succeed to his father, but
the contingency of civil war arising out of a disputed succession, as well as
that of a revolution arising out of long years of misrule, have to be borne in
mind.