'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES. 1903.' [‎37r] (80/120)

v. 2
APPENDIX.
G7
Russia. These matters and the question of the roads, surely,
raised a question as to their trade with Persia. It was said
that Russia must have an outlet in the southern sea, but Russia
had no trade whatever in Southern Persia. The only object
which she could have would be to form a naval base, and the
only object of a naval base would be to threaten our trade with
India. He believed that if they allowed any Power to come
down into the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. they would inflict a great injury on
India, and enable that Power to strike them on the flank. They
must not forget that they were now dealing with an important
strategical position between this country, India, Australia, and
South Africa—in fact, one of their most important bases. He
recommended various reforms in our Consular system, which,
complex as it was in pay and appointment, did not afford the
support our commerce required. The strength of our position
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and our influence there had sensibly
lessened in the last 15 months, and from the facts it might be
argued that further changes were contemplated. Anyone who
read Lord Curzon’s book on Persia, and, among other publi
cations, the series of articles in “ The Times,” must see how
seriously at stake were our interests. There w r as danger that,
irom drifting and neglect to face our responsibilities, we might
get into a position from which war alone could extricate us ;
and to avoid this he counselled a firm declaration of a well-
considered policy.
Lord Ellcnborough said that the establishment of a naval
arsenal on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. w r ould be a menace to our trade
not only with India and China but with Australia and New
Zealand. He would sooner see Russia at Constantinople than
a Great Power occupying a good harbour on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Since the Crimean War the equilibrium of Europe had changed,
and many interests which were then thought vital to certain
countries had ceased to be so. It was no longer a matter of
primary interest to England and France v r ho should rule on the
shores of the Bosporus or the Hellespont. If the Germans
chose to build railways in Anatolia Peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey. and Syria, he thought we
might look on the proceeding in a friendly way ; but if they
wished to extend the railway to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , so as to
menace our position there, that would be quite another matter.
He was glad the noble lord had raised this question.
The Marquis of Lansdowne *—The noble lord who introduced
this subject explained to the House that, for reasons which he
gave us, it was not his intention to deal at length with the
earlier part of the notice which he had placed upon the paper.
1 shall follow his example, and take up very little of your
lordships’ time in referring to it. I am, however, bound to
make one or two remarks in consequence of what has fallen
* Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.