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'British Interests in Persia and the Gulf' [‎83r] (3/6)

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The record is made up of 1 file (3 folios). It was created in May 1899. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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t3
3
Muskat’s ruler, the Sultan, cannot exercise the slightest authority outside Muskat.
his isolated capital. There and at Mattra, his subjects are only restrained
by threat of punishment by us. We have upheld his rule at Dhofar, and
without our subsidy the administration could not continue. But the joint
Declaration of his independence signed with France on 10th March 1862
ties our hands, and detracts from the secret engagement of 1891, under which
the Sultan cannot part with his possessions to any power except the British.
The British Government, except in Baluchistan, owns no territories washed England,
by the waters of the Gulf. Gwadar, the best port in Baluchistan, belongs
to Muskat. From Aden to Kas Sair, where Muskat rule is held to begin,
we have a protectorate over the Hadramaut tribes. From that point°we
share with France a protectorate over Muskat. Bahrein, off the El Katif
coast, is under our protection. Koweit has treaty relations with us. On
the Persian coast we hold nothing, but we have a possible right of reversion
to Bassidore on Kishm Island. Ormuz Island now belongs to Persia. The
Indian frontier begins in Gwettar Bay, and Karachi is our nearest port,
for Ormarah is a mere roadstead. We have no troops in Indian Baluchistan
i.e., Mekran. From Gwettar Bay to Koh-i-Malik Siah, just south of Sistan,
our land frontier marches with Persia, and at that point the Afghan boundary
begins. We have, however, for many years kept the maritime peace in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and we alone protect trade in those waters which carry a
sea-borne trade that is mainly British.
4. From a consideration of tlm jarring^ interests of these competitors, I Diplomatic
pass to the diplomatic understandings which at present keep them apart, under-
first with reference to the Gulf, then to Persia itself. Muskat and its sidings,
dependencies, which include Gwadar on the Baluchistan sea-board, are under
a joint French and British guarantee of independence. There are signs that
this protectorate is being used by France to stimulate a trade in arms, and
to w r ork against British interests. Next to Muskat comes the Pirate coast
up to El Katr, with whose independent chiefs w T e have agreements of March
1892, which prevent their receiving foreign agents, or parting with their
territories except to the British. Then begins the sovereignty of Turkey
which extends with intervals to Mohammerah, and which appears, “ where
firmly established on the coast,” to be recognised by the Despatch No. 13,
dated 5th January 1880, to Sir H. Layard." But from the correspondence
of 1888 it is not clear that the Porte was formally advised of this. At any
rate, Koweit is regarded by us as independent of Turkey. From Mohammerah
on the Shat el Arab to Gwettar Bay, Persian rule is acknowledged ; but in
April 1899 Persia w^as again told (Foreign Office telegram No. 10, dated 7th
April 1899, to Sir M. Durand) that our political interests are not compatible
with the exercise of any control or jurisdiction by a European power over the
ports on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . From the frontier of Persia to a spot near
Karachi, the coast line, except at Gwadar, is, subject to the Kelat State,
under British protection. The island of Bahrein is under our protection,
and at Bassidore, on the island of Kishm, we still maintain a footing and
occasionally fly our flag. Angaum (Henjam) was once occupied by us, but has
been abandoned. Ormuz belongs to Persia. But the sovereignty over Angaum
and Larak might raise a controversy, as they once belonged to Muskat.
As to Persia itself, the sincere desire of Russia and Great Britain to
maintain its independence and integrity rests upon declarations exchanged
between the two Powers in 1834, 1838, and 1888, printed in Blue Book,
Miscellaneous No. 2, 15th July 1898. The boundary of Persia with India
has been demarcated. That between Afghanistan and Persia, especially in
the neighbourhood of Herat, has never been accepted by the Amir, and
further south on the Sistan line the Afghans object to what we regard as
the Persian boundary. In this corner an encroaching spirit might lead to
trouble.
5. The question arises whether these understandings are sufficient for our Courses of
purposes. It must be admitted that they have not prevented Russia from action -
increasing her pressure on Persia, from sending Cossack escorts with
medical explorers even as far south as Sistan, from obtaining concessions in
5. 24. A 2

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Content

The file consists of a letter concerning British interests in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. by William Lee-Warner of the Foreign Office. It questions if interests are clearly defined and reviews former declarations of policy made by the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. .

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Extent and format
1 file (3 folios)
Arrangement

This file consists of a single letter.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 82, and terminates at f 84, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

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English in Latin script
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'British Interests in Persia and the Gulf' [‎83r] (3/6), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/C94, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036925116.0x000004> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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