'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎71v] (147/386)

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•i.tenlion to tlie possibility of Russian interference and the presence of a Russian
warship in the Gulf. To this telegram the Legation replied that—
« We cannot advise the Persian Government to abandon the idea of taking over the
Mohammorah Customs. Nor can we advise the Sheikh to rebel. The finaocial stability of
P-rsia denmds on the reorganisation of the customs administration of which Mohammerah
a ‘„.^aTY part. We can, however, advise both parties to accept a compromise by
whi.l, the proposed Customs reforms could be can led out without impairing the Sheikh’s
J antVioritv The Persian Government has surrendered its Customs all over the
wnntry to foreio-a employes and the Sheikh would cot be worse off than the Government
14 On receiving Lord Salisbury’s approval of this telegram, Mr. Spring-
nice His Majesty’s Charge d’Alfaires at Tehran, informed both the Minister for
•Foreign Affairs and the Sadr-h Azara, ia the course of conversation, of the news
which had reached him from Mohammerah and asked if the British officials
in the Gulf could he of any assistance in the matter. It was pointed out
^at there was no intention of interfering with the internal affairs of Persia,
hut that the Sheikh had been of great service to the British merchants in
heepin* order on the river and that any disturbance in his dislrict would
close the countrv to our trade. The Sadr-i-Azam said, in reply, that lie was
sending an official with presents to explain the matter to the Sheikh and
that the Sheikh should receive compensation for any loss he might incur.
15. Mr. Spring-Bice subsequently called on M. Naus, the Belgian Direct
or of the Customs Administration, and in compliance with his request, sent
Colonel Meade a message to be delivered to the Sheikh, explaining the nature
of the intended steps and informing him that the Shah would send a messenger
to confer with him. Colonel Meade, who had gone to Mohammerah, had two
interviews with the Sheikh, which he reported by telegram to the Foreign
Office. The Sheikh expressed great anxiety lest a Belgian official should be
sent to take over the customs before the arrival of the Shah’s messenger, and
Colonel Meade hoped that steps would be taken to draw the attention of the
Persian Government to the danger of taking precipitate action.
16. Mr. Spring-Bice called again on M. Naus, who requested him to send
a telegram in reply, stating that no Belgian official would be sent till the Shah’s
messenger had arrived. Before, however, he had despatched this telegram,
he received a note from M. Naus requesting him to postpone further action in
the matter till he had seen him. The whole of the next day M. Naus was
en^a^ed with the Sadr-i-Azam and the Imperial Bank, but early on the ensu-.
in" morning he called, and in the course of an interview, explained to Mr*
Spring-Bice that, to his regret, the Sadr-i-Azam had decided that no steps
whatever should be taken till the Shah’s return.
17. The fact was, he said, the Shah desired to put an end to the semi-
independence of the Arab tribes in the south, and the Persian Government pre
ferred “ taking one bite at the Sheikh to two.” If the Sheikh consented to
the arrangements proposed, the Persian Government would lose an excellent
pretext for interference. If he resisted, the Shah’s journey would have to be
postponed. Serious action would be taken on the Shah’s return and a gun
boat would he ordered for use in the river. The loss to the customs by this
delay would be about £20,000, which the Government could ill-spare. They
were, however, decided on this course of action. He mentioned this in strict
confidence, and expressed his personal regret as well as his thanks for the
assistance offered.
18. In subsequent conversations with the Sadr-i-Azam and the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mr. Spring-Bice pointed out that Her Majesty’a Government
had been anxious to offer their good offices as they had every reason to wish
success to any measure for the reform of Persian finance or administration.
He gathered, however, that the offer was not a very welcome one nor the
subject one of which they were inclined to be communicative.
19. In January 1901, M. Simais, Director General of the Persian Customa
Department at Bushire, proceeded to Mohammerah for the purpose of inter
viewing the Sheikh in the matter of the assumption by the Persian Government