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contrary accelerate her advance to the same objective through Mesopotamia by
way of Baghdad. This is an issue which we should regard with scarcely inferior
repugnance; hut the problem is one which we do not feel called upon to
discuss upon the present occasion, and which would require to he examined
on independent grounds. Nor again would an Anglo-Russian agreement pre
clude iranee, or Germany, or any other Power from endeavouring to acquire
in Southern Persia or in the Gulf the position from which Russia would ex
hypothesi have debarred herself. There might even he combined action between
them for that object. These however are features inseparable from the solution
which we are discussing, and which would be of a less formidable character,
if the influence of the principal competitor were removed from the scene. We
should strongly deprecate the political rivalry of any European nation in the
neighbourhood of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; even though such a situation, while
fraught vith constant annoyance, might not, as in the case of Russia, constitute
a positive menace to the Indian Empire.
61. . There remains the further danger, distinctly contemplated by Sir M.
Durand in discussing the question of a possible understanding with Russia, that
she would not abide by the terms of any such understanding. Sufficient grounds
tor this induction may unquestionably be found in the historv of Russian
advance in Central Asia during the past half century. But an' appreciation
of the inclinations and idiosyncrasies of both parties to an agreement, in the
tight, where possible^of past experience, is an element in the drawing up of a
fresh bargain which is not likely to be lost sight of by either agent, whether
it be regarded as involving a discount from, or an appreciation of, the value of
the new contract Moreover such contracts, if not of perpetual duration, or
even if ultimately infringed by one of the two parties, have been shown in
many cases to be of immense value, in the respite that they afford from the
strain of an otherwise ceaseless rivalry, and in the opportunity presented for a
peaceful consokdation of existing interests. ^ *
62. AVe liave now placed before Your Lordship the pros and com as thev
present themselves to our eyes, of the alternative policies in Persia. ’ While
not sanguine as to the prospects of success, we are ourselves of opinion that
the experiment of an understanding with Russia as to future spheres of interest
i ' : ' t eou, dry is wnrthy of being made, in the interests both of Persia itself
and still more ot harmony between the two great Powers, upon whose relations
e peace of Asia may be said to depend. Should Her Majesty’s Government
decide upon making any overtures to the Russian Government "in the a.w® *
indicated, and should thev either be reiected or result f!u •* dl .'® ctl ? n
be possible to adopt the alternative recommended by Sir m!D urand."indeed
if the terms of a reasonable arrangement are proffered bv nnn f * ] L 5
refused by the other, the natural corollary wouldTpwar to be tbnfth 7 ’ are
of the proposal should reserve to himself the rHit to nrote t 0 n S™ a tor
means may be at his disposal the interests which he h.,* ct l !- v whatever
by friendly co-operation P ; and sltT^f^at w^lfrS 1 ° e ?^ 6
conscious aggression on the one side by retaliation on the other. ^ be
arrive at an understanding wlirRuss^we^concei^th^ of a failure to
Her Majesty’s Government Tn/'r^bh: “nmenfof ^
early decision upon the subsidiary question, raised bv Sir M rJ * ^ to au
as to thesteps that require forthwith to be taken in^oK
and Indian interests in the so-called British sphere in Pewia fromfhf f- 1
tion with which we have shown them to be threatened 1 ‘ h com P etl -
annnally expended “b^Her 11 Ma*eftTr ollVmnmmf^^^G 011 ° f the Sl " M
following proportions: HerMajestv^Government 1 * bUte< ^ “ the
India, £24,094. Inasmuch as these figures are not n ^ Gove ™ment of
and as they omit several items of charge for which In din res P ects > correct,
Slide, we have made an independent computation, wWch VwT ar< \ re , s P on -
pnrposes of comparison in tabular form. In a further column presented ’ for
c inrges also borne by the Government of India and Her Majesty^Governme't
# lhatu £12376 + £1.500 on account of travelling allowances.