'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.' [‎72r] (148/386)

of the management of Mohammerah customs. As regards the proposed arrarn'e-
ments, Colonel Kemhall reported on 9th March 1901 as follows:—
Estimating the total tribute paid by the Sheikh to the Persian Government to he
60,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. (£ 12 , 000 ) yearly (it is not known what portion of this is derived from the
customs as distinct from the land tax), it is proposed to pay to the Mieikh in return for the
surrender by bim of the Customs a sum of 30,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. yearly, and in addition to bestow
upon him a pension of 12,000 or 15,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. in lieu of the exemption from duty of his own
produce. J
My opinion, which is confirmed by Mr. McDouall, who had recently interviewed the
Sheikh on the subject, is that the Sheikh's position at Mohammerah is such that it is impos
sible for him to consent to the assumption by the Persians of the management of the Customs
at Mohammerah and on the Karun. He does not attach any importance to his own pecu
niary interest in the matter, as he is aware that the Persian Government will be willino- to
recoup him for any loss which he may sustain, but he says that the Arab tribes who acknow
ledge his control will not tamely submit to the surrender of their time-honoured rm-hts and
privileges, and that trouble will undoubtedly ensue if the Persians take the management of
the Customs into their own hands.
M. Simais, with whom I have discussed the matter does not share this view. He believes
that he can effect the change without any trouble ; and I believe that the Persian Government
is fully determined to introduce the reforms without much further delay."
20. In December 1901, it was reported that Prince Salar-ed-Dowleh,
Governor General of Arabistan, intended to pay a visit to Arabistan. Sheikh
Kkazal felt great alarm at this projected visit. He feared that it foreboded
i o good to him ; and be gave out that the Arabs were by no means inclined
to welcome the Prince at that juncture, since they bad beard of the schemes
of the Persian Government to tamper with their time-honoured rights as to
customs. Hence, ii the Prince came, there would certainly be a rising among
them, which would lead to serious consequences.
21. The Sheikh also requested that the British Government would move in
the matter since disturbance in Arabistan would effect their commercial
interests, or that they should act as intermediary between the Arabs and the
Persian Government.
22 Sir A. Ilardinge thought the danger of an Arab rising was merely a
pretext put forward by the Sheikh for his personal purposes, and that there was
no necessity for the British Legation to take any action. As a matter of fact
the Prince did not move beyond Shushter.
23. The further development of this Customs question in 1902 ending in the
desire expressed by the Sheikh to come under British protection and in the
negotiation, under the auspices of His Majesty's Government, of a Customs
agreement, between the Persian Government and the Sheikh, will he related in
the following chapter.