'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.' [‎155v] (315/386)

No. 56 (Secret—External), dated Simla, the 7tli May 1903.
From—The Government of India in the Foreign Department,
To—The Right Hon’blbLord George F Hamilton, G.C S.I., His Maiestv's Soere
tary of State for India. J j o le-
Wc liare the lionour to invite Your Lordship’s attention to the correspon-
deuce ending with the Viceroy’s telegram, dated the 20th March 1001, regarding
a proposal for the connection of Bunder Abbas with the Indo-European telegraph
system. The reasons nhich at that time led His Majesty’s Government to con
sider the opportunity unfavourable for the execution of the project have since
passed away, and w*e now again desire to put forward the scheme, modified in
certain respects as the result of further investigation of the entire question of
telegraphic communication in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
2. Your I.ordship is doubtless aware, that, previous to 1^81, one of the
telegraph cables which now pass through the Straits of Ormuz to the south
of Henjam, lay in the channel to the north of that island, on which, from 1809
to 18S1, there was a station of the Indo-European Telegraph Department. The
idea having occmred to us that the re-establishment of this po4 might provide
the easiest means of connecting Bunder Abbas with the telegraph system, we
ascertained from the Director of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Telegraphs that either of the
cables could again be landed on the island without difficulty, and we subse
quently asked him to furnish an estimate of the cost of such diversion, and
of a connection from Heniam to Bunder Abbas. A copy of our letter and of his
reply are enclosed with this despatch. It wi.l be seen that four yar\ ino- estimates
of cost are given—
Its. 2,78,096 or £18, .539
Rs. 2,29,796 or £15,319
Bs. 2,25,830 or £15,055
Rs. 1,77,530 or £11,835
(1) Taking (a) the larger estimate for the
diversion to Henjam, and (A) connection
between Henjam and Bunder Abbas by
cable all the way
(2) Taking (a) the smaller estimate for the
diversion to Henjam, and (6) connection
between Henjam and Bunder Abbas, as
in (1), i.e , by cable only ...
(3) Taking (») tho larger estimate for the
diversion to Henjam, and (&) connection
between Henjam and Bunder Abbas
partly by sea and partly by land across
Kishm
• • * • • •
(4) Taking (a) the smaller estimate for the
diversion to Henjam, and (5) connection
between Henjam and Bunder Abbas as
in (3), i.e., partly by sea and partly by
As regards the alternative means of connecting Her jam and Bunder
Abbas we incline lo tbe over-land lino via Kisbm. We do not anticipate any
risk of mtemip'ion on tbe sparsely inhabited island of Kishm : and ne think
bat any steps wul be of yaluc that may tend to strengthen our influence in
that island, where we already possess the station of Bassidore, which mmht
also, il necessary, be similarly connected niih the station at Heniam. If,
however, His Majesty s Government entertain a strong preference for a cable,
we lave no wish to press the point, and consider that the small increase in cost
is immaterial.
3 It will be seen that in ite initial cost the most expensive of the two
projects which we favour is only half that of the formerly suggested line from
Bunder Abbas to .Task, winch was calculated to cost £30,oOO. The expense of
maintenance will be slightly greater, inasmuch as, in addition to an office at
Bunder Abbas, it will he necessary to maintain one at Henjam also. The
e\is tme o a station at tins place will, however, apart from any considerations