'Persia. No 2 (1909). Further correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia' [‎170r] (87/150)

M. Sabline and I have approached the Persian Government in this sense urging,
that the measure we demand is in the interest of the Shah and his Government whom
we shall hold responsible for any harm to our nationals which may result from the
disorders, which, if the Vice-Governor is not dismissed, we foresee may occur.
SEE your telegram of yesterday’s date. If you think fit, you may, in concert
with your Russian colleague if possible, represent to the Persian Government that
they will be called upon to pay compensation for British mails destroyed, and that
His Majesty’s Government will hold them responsible in the event of any action on
the part of the Shah’s officers causing injury to British trade.
YOUR telegram of the 17th March.
I have addressed a memorandum to Minister asking him to agree to instructions
being sent to the two Representatives to give the Shah fully to understand that if there
be a Russian intervention he would gain nothing by it, and that it may lead to his
dethronement if be persists in his present policy, which exposes his personal position to
grave risks. I added that it would be well if the Russian Charge dAftaiies veie
instructed to hold Persian Government responsible for all losses caused by Rahim Khan
and his adherents to Russian and British interests in North Persia.
Sir G, Barclay to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received March 28.)
(Telegraphic.) Tehran, March 28, 1909.
1 HAVE received the following telegram from His Majesty’s Consul-General at
Tabreez
il I am informed by a prominent Nationalist that in three weeks at the most the
provisions in Tabreez will be completely exhausted.”
I have received the following telegram, dated yesterday, fiom His Majesty s
Consul-General at Bushire
“ X received late last night the first definite response from Seyyid Murteza, which
was communicated to me by an intermediary to whom it had been sent in the form of a
^oi*m cil lottos
“ The Seyyid begins by stating that to preserve the undoubted interests of His
Majesty’s Government and the British nation is one of the first duties of the Nationalists.
He goes on to say that he proposes, in older to reassure the 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. and satisfy them
in the question of the customs receipts, as a regular arrangement, that the Nationalist
party should retain for daily expenses in connection with the maintenance of the force
of riflemen a sum of 500 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a-day, and that the balance should be placed with some
No. 135.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir G. Barclay.
(Telegraphic.)
Foreign Office, March 26, 1909.
No. 136.
(Telegraphic.)
Sir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received March 27.)
St. Pdersburcjh, March 27, 1909.
No. 137.
No. 138.
Sir G. Barclay to Sir Edward Grey.—{Received March 30.)
(Telegraphic.)
BUSHIRE
Tehran, March 30, 1909.
trustworthy Pei
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