File 1110/1916 Pt 3 'German War: Persia' [‎165r] (334/354)

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authorities and only question is how matter should he settled. They express
themselves as wdiing and indeed anxious to enter into most friendly relations
with British, but at the same time they are very suspicious and refuse to release
I I x unless certain conditions are agreed to first. I have already submitted
certain proposals, for consideration, but some of these do not appear to be
acceptable, and after further discussion with the Khans I venture now ao-ain
to submit matter to you. b
“ Khans are willing to release us—
u (1) exchange for Tangistani prisoners;
, “ ( 2 ) on receipt of an assurance to repay 10,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. confiscated from
Sheikh Hussain and release of consignment of tea valued at some 15,000
tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. for which Zair Khidar is standing security; and
“ (3) they also ask for an assurance that main Bushire-Borasjun road may
be opened for traffic as before.
“ I venture to invite your favourable consideration to these proposals.
Their acceptance will secure our immediate release and will terminate highly
undesirable state of friction which has agitated all this part of Southern Persia
for nearly a year past and at the same time it leaves the way open for any future
settlement between ourselves and the Khans which may appear desirable later
op. You are of course best judge as to whether settlement on these lines and
release of myself and other British subjects here is desirable or whether it is
considered preferable that we should be detained here pending employment of
other means for our liberation. No doubt your decision will be arrived at on
general grounds, but I venture very respectfully to urge claim of our small
party here to have our personal interests taken into sympathetic consideration
should these not clash with public policy.
“ With reference to details of proposed conditions—
“ (1) I am enclosing to Resident details of 16 prisoners whom Khans claim
in exchange for us. I suggest that these should be brought to Bushire as soon
as possible and date fixed by Resident for exchange to take place.
“ (2) I presume it will be considered preferable to release money and
goods in question rather than to keep British subjects indefinitely in confine
ment under conditions utterly unsuited to health and well-being of Europeans
especially, as no direct loss is thereby involved to British Government.
“ (3) On cessation of hostilities there can, I presume, be no objection to
resumption of traffic by main road.
“ I am fully aware of certain objections which exist to this or any similar
arrangement, but, in view of the whole circumstances of the case and of certain
views which I knew you to entertain six months ago, I venture to hope that
you will now approve of settlement being arrived at on some such lines as
these with the least possible delay. Should you regard proposals favourably,
I venture to beg that you will issue necessary instructions to Bushire author
ities as soon as possible.
w Abram, 8th May. O’Connor. ” JSnds,
BBSS