'Seistan' [‎336r] (673/782)

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and Indian Governments ; and we are prepared to undertake the annual outlay
that may be required tor up-keep and repairs, and for the provision of a
substitute for the present native agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. , during the time that the Eesident is
living at Bushire.
82. We are heartily in accord with Sir M. Durand in thinking that a British
officer should be appointed to Bunder Abbas, with charge of the Gulf ports
east of Bushire, and of British interests in the maritime provinces of South
eastern Persia. The necessity of such an appointment was mooted, as long ago as
1879, by Colonel Boss, at that time British Besident at Bushire. It was raised
again in 1882,1884, 1885,1888 and 1892, and on the majority of these occasions
was supported by petitions from the not insignificant Hindu and Khoja popula
tion engaged in trade at Bunder Abbas. In 1893, the appointment as Vice-
Consul of an Englishman engaged in business at that port was agreed to by
the Government of India and was sanctioned by the Secretary of State (Lord
Kimberley), but was subsequently dropped upon the inexplicable grounds that
the estimated cost of Bs. 50 a month or £10 a year could not be saved out of
the Bushire Besidency funds. In 1896, the question was again discussed
between the Government of India and the Besident (Colonel Wilson); and the
former so far departed from their former attitude as to say that the proposal
must be held over until the normal conditions of trade had been restored by
the withdrawal of the Bussian sanitary cordon. These conditions have since
been fulfilled, and we are prepared to look with a more favourable eye upon a
proposal, the intrinsic recommendations of which are not open to dispute.
We are willing to accept the financial responsibility for the proposed appoint
ment, although w r e think that it may be possible to meet it without additional
cost by the transfer to Bunder Abbas of the Political Assistant now stationed
at Meshed. Sir M. Durand suggests that the officer appointed to this post
should pass the summer months at Yezd (Bunder Abbas being an impossible
site of residence during the hot season), taking the place there of the present
unpaid Commercial Vice-Consul. Upon this point we would propose to consult
Her Majesty’s Consul at Kerman, which is in close connection with Bunder
Abbas and the coast; and w T e wall submit to Your Lordship at a later date our
final views upon this subject.
83. Sir M. Durand mentions, as a matter affecting exclusively the Govern
ment of India, the possible appointment of a British officer at Bahrein. We
do not hesitate to state to Your Lordship that such an appointment is in our
opinion both desirable and obligatory. Trouble, similar to that which we have
already incurred in Maskat, is brewing in Bahrein, the treaty engagements of
which petty State wdth Her Majesty’s Government provide no legitimate
excuse for such complications. It is necessary to anticipate them by placing
a British officer permanently in the island; and w T e are at the present time
awaiting Colonel Meade’s definite proposals on the matter. We are inclined
to think that it will probably be sufficient to nominate an officer of a sub
ordinate class. Erom time to time he will also visit Koweit. It remains to be
decided whether he should also have under his political jurisdiction the Trucial
Chiefs of the Arab or Pirate coast, or whether these should be placed under
the officer at Bunder Abbas. We incline to the former opinion, but reserve this
matter for subsequent decision.
84. We have now dealt with each one of Sir M. Durand’s specific pro
posals, and have stated our own views in support, in amendment, or in
supplement of them. It remains for us to mention some additional proposals
of our own, and to comment upon certain independent suggestions submitted
by Her Majesty’s Minister. We entertain, and have already in the present
year acted upon, the opinion that Her Majesty’s naval forces should be more
strongly and frequently represented than they have hitherto been in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and that there should be recurrent visits from the Admiral of the
East Indian station. During the past spring Admiral Douglas, at the request
of the Viceroy, paid such a visit, and his presence was of material assistance
during the recent crisis at Maskat. We are doubtful of the wisdom of the
existing system, under which the political charge of the Makran coast, and the