‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎264r] (526/949)

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Dated Shiraz, the 29th August 1903. (Confidential.)
From— Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, C.I.E., Political
Persian Ciulf,
To—L. W. Dane, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India,
ment.
Resident in the
Foreign Depart-
I have received your confidential letter about the Viceroy’s proposed visit
to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . His Excellency’s first visit will be paid to Maskat and
from Maskat he will either proceed to the Pirate Coast or to Bunder Abbas.
I do not think that it matters very much which of these places is taken first,
but as I anticipate some little difficulty in getting all the Trucial Chiefs toge
ther at one place, it may perhaps be found more suitable to proceed first to
Bunder Abbas. These Arab Sheikhs are not like ordinary people, and the
Chief of Abu Dhabi may possibly object to come to Shargab, while the Shargah
Chief might find it inconvenient to have a gathering of all the Chiefs at his
place. lliave thought therefore that the most suitable plan may be for me,
after meeting His Excellency at Maskat, to send the Lawrence round to the
Pirate Coast to collect the Chiefs and bring them to, say, Shargah where they
would be kept on board until the Viceroy arrives. The Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). will, I think,
be held upon the Hardinge and His Excellency would probably not care to
land on the Coast where indeed there is nothing of any interest to see. Erom
the Pirate Coast His Excellency might cross over to Bassidore and Lingali
which place, I think, it would be a pity to omit. Erom Lingah to Bahrein is
a short run. Erom Bahrein, I think, it will be more convenient to go to Koweit
and to finish up the round at Bushire. I forgot to mention that His Excel
lency might desire to visit the Elphinstone Inlet which can be taken easily on
the way from Bunder Abbas to the Pirate Coast.
Now as to the climate and weather they may he anticipated in the Gulf
during the latter half of November. November may generally be taken to be
a fine weather month in the Gulf. On the Persian side it will probably be
quite cool, though off the Pirate Coast it may be warm. As to weather, it is,
I fear, impossible to predict the certainty of fine weather, and according to my
experience, I have hardly ever done a trip of ten days duration in the Gulf
without some bad weather. At none of the places can landing be called easy
and at no place is it feasible if bad weather is on. I have been kept waiting
off the Pirate Coast for days at a time before any communication with the
shore was possible, and I have been at Bunder Abbas, Bahrein and Koweit
when landing was out of the question. I may, I think, safely say that the
climate will be pleasant, but as regards weather and landing, the former may
or may not be auspicious while the latter, even under the most favourable
conditions of weather and tide, is hardly ever easy.
Next as to the manner in which the visit is likely to he regarded, at the
Persian ports which will be visited, by the Persian officials stationed there.
At Bunder Abbas and Lingah the officials are of very minor importance, being
only Deputies of the Governor of Bushire, whose orders they would require
as to the reception to he accorded to His Excellency. I think it would be
as well that the Minister at Tehran should be asked to notify to the Persian
Government that the Viceroy of India proposes to visit the Gulf, and to request
that the local officials should he directed to receive His Excellency in a
manner befitting his high rank. Perhaps the Persian Government may
desire to send an official from Tehran especially to meet and offer a welcome
to His Excellency, but I hardly think that this need be suggested, as the
Governor of Bushire is a man of good position and will, I am sure, do all that
is necessary to receive Lord Curzon in a suitable manner.
With regard to the political aspect of the case. I fear I must ask you to
let me have time to think over this matter. So far as I can say at present,
I do not think that, so far as the Trucial Chiefs and the Chief of Bahrein are
concerned, any fresh arrangements in the way of new forms of engagement
will be desired. Maskat enjoys a different status and perhaps some modifica
tion or expansion of the status quo may be desirable, but I would like to
consult Cox in this matter. The Chief of Koweit may very possibly desire
some more definite agreement.