'British Interests in Persia and the Gulf' [‎84r] (5/6)

*4
p]xclusive
control over
Maskat.
and watch Gwadar. As regards Sistan, let us give Persia to understand
that we allow no railway to be made to it without our consent. Such a
line from the north w r ould be only useful for a Ptussian advance upon India.
Fourthly, let us resist French encroachments on Maskat, and let no
opportunity slip of getting rid of the joint Declaration of 1862. The arms
traffic there may prove a serious danger to us.
Finally, the question remains whether w r e should let Russia and Persia Declaration
know that w r e regard the Gulf and Sistan as places in which w T e shall not of P ol,c . v -
tolerate the presence of foreign European military or naval armaments.
Already Persia has been told of our interests in its ports, and she has been
warned that we shall let other parties, if they seek security for loans in those
ports, know of our views. By similar means we can let all whom it may
concern know that encroachment upon Sistan or the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports
would be regarded by us as indicating an hostile attitude towards India. If
it be the case that a friendly and reliable agreement with Russia is impossible,
then it seems wise and conducive to peace to declare formally wdiat ports and
places we must regard as under our exclusive influence.
16th May 1899.
W. Lee-Warner.