'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.' [‎83v] (171/386)

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the coast of Persia eastwards as far as Gwetter and all the islands be
longing to Persia in the eastern part of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . This extended
jurisdiction was considered highly desirable in view of the fact that the Belgian
Customs Administration had taken over charge of these places, and that
as a result various matters were constantly coming up which could be
better dealt with by a Consular Otficer than by the Director, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Tele
graphs, who had no consular powers.
5. Attention was next directed to Shiraz where the Government of India
Appointment Of a British Consular had reason to suspect that British interests
Officer at Shiraz. were inadequately represented by the
Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. . Colonel Kemball was asked for his views as to improving the
arrangements at Shiraz and on the suggestion of the Government of India to
attach experimentally one or two young military officers to our consulates
in Southern Persia as a proof of our active interest in the country and as a means
of improving the personnel. Regarding the latter proposal, Colonel Kern ball (in
curred entirely ; as to the former he suggested a reference to the Legation. Ac
cordingly in August 190L Sir A. Hardinge’s opinion was asked as to the advis
ability of replacing the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. by a British Military Officer as Vice-Consul.
He was also asked for an expression of opinion on the proposal to attach a few junior
military officers to some of the other Consulates in Southern Persia, e.g.^ Seistan
and Kerman. Sir A. Hardinge, while not generally in favour of the latter proposal,
recommended, somewhat lukewarmly, the attachment of an Indian Subaltern to
the Bushire Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. for employment at Sliirazor elsewhere. This part of the
proposal was proceeded with and in June 1902 Lieutenant Peart was deputed to
Shiraz as a temporary measure to assist the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. but not to supersede
the British Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. whose retirement did not come about until 1901 when
the first British Consul assumed charge in Shiraz as a result of proposals made
by the Government of India for the institution of a special Consular service
for Persia which will be mentioned in their proper place —vide pages 70'71>
paragraph 16 infra.
6. Kerman, which had been on a somewhat anomalous footing since 1893,
Kerman Consulate placed on perma- next attracted attention owing to a report?
nent footing. in May 1902 that a Russian Consul
was about to he appointed there. Lord Curzon proposed that the temporary
consulate should be established on a permanent basis and brought on to the graded
list of the Foreign Department. The British Foreign Office approved the pro
posal in principle and considered it very desirable on political grounds. The Trea
sury agreed to bear half the cost (£2,613) and Major Sykes returned to the
field of his former labours in January 1903.
7. Mention was made in paragraph 25 of Chapter I of Lord Curzon’s recom-
Appointment of a Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at mendation for the appointment of a Native
Bampur. Agent at Bampur in Persian Baluchistan.
The necessity for the measure arose in consequence of the frequency of raids
from Persian territory into Makran and of the importance of having ant
Agent in the former Province who could keep the British authorities in the
latter fully informed on this subject. Moreover the Satwat-ul-Memalik who admi
nistered Bampur had been ill-treating Indian traders in such a way as to
lead to complaints being made by the Legation to the Persian Govern
ment. This circumstance apart from the question of raids rendered the
measure very advisable. The Government of India decided, therefore, in June
1901 to send a Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. to Bampur. No objections were raised to this appoint-
ment by the Persian Government when it was first notified to them several months
previously, but the Agent selected, Surveyor Khan Ashgar Ali Beg Baha
dur, had scarcely arrived at Bampur in December 1901 when the Shah became
suspicious of British designs in Persian Baluchistan—and objected to the Agent’s
presence at Bampur, alleging (1) that be feared troubles owing to the wild
character of the natives of Persian Baluchistan and (2) that another Power might
also wish to send an Agent of its own there. The Persian Government, however^
asked whether, if the Shah withdrew his opposition to the presence of a British
Agent at Bampur, the Government of India would agree to the appointment of a
Persian Consul at Quetta. This w r as refused, as it was against the policy of Govern
ment to allow foreign Consuls to reside elsewhere in India than at the sea port