File 200/1928 Pt 7 'Anglo-Persian Treaty Negotiations' [‎422r] (175/620)

4
make it impossifr
to
effect transfer by May
31st
and
we must therefore consider question of further temporary
extension®
7 „ I realise that in view of decision to refuse
Persian terms and transfer route, extension may be more
difficult to obtain, and that if we say nothing about our
decision it might be argued that this further extension
had been secured on false pretences. It may therefore be
wiser to explain to Teyrnourtache frankly without delay
that His Majesty’s Government have decided to transfer
route to Arabian coast. Such an explanation,preferably
oral, should be so worded as to make it clear that His
Majesty’s Government in deciding to adopt the Arabian
route have been much influenced by the practical as dis
tinct from commercial advantages
which it has now been
found to possess and especially those in last sentence
of paragraph 4 above. This is mere statement of fact,
and, while meeting point in paragraph 5 above, should show
that His Majesty’s Government are not transferring route
merely as result of Persian pressure. Any statement to
Teymourtache regarding impending transfer should avoid
committing us to permanent renunciation of wish to resume
a se of Persian route at some future date® Statement could
then be followed by explanation to effect that, as pre
parations for transfer will still take a few months uo
complete, we shall be glad of further temporary extension
until October lst«
8* On the other hand, general situation in regard