‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎433r] (864/949)

N
Si 1
Dated Cawnpore, the 28th February (Rd. 3rd March) 1905,
From-A. Shakespear, Esq., Secretary, Upper India Chamber of Commerce
To-The Deputy Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department
I am directed to hand you extract of a telegram received from
Mr. Newcomen, dated Kerman the 26th instant, and with reference to the
communication addressed to the Private Secretary to His Excellency the
Viceroy to which he makes reference, a copy of which I have now the
pleasure to hand you, I am to state that my Committee will be grateful for
advice as to whether this has been received. °
I am at the same time to inform you that Mr. Newcomen in addressing
His Excellency direct is considered by my Committee to have exceeded the
authority with which he has been invested and my Committee do not feel
justified in associating themselves with the representations contained in
Mr. Newcomen’s communication.
Mr. Necowmen in a recent communication mentions the possibility of
Major Sykes being transferred from his present appointment, and my Com
mittee, while feding confident that everything possible is being done to support
and further British trade interests in Persia, cannot but receive with feelings
of great regret the news that it is contemplated to deprive such an important
trade centre as Kerman of the valuable experience of such an officer as Major
Sykes at a time when it is understood foreign influences are particularly active.
In a recent communication Mr. Newcomen mentions that he has not yet
received any instructions as to the disposal of the Government property in his
possession; and I shall be obliged for early intimation of what the wishes of
Government are in this respect.
Extract of telegram received from Mr. A. Gleadowe Newcomen, dated 26th
February 1905.
Please ascertain at once and telegraph if Viceroy’s Secretary has received
letter regarding presentation gold medal; copy with Chamber; awaiting Secre
tary’s wire.
Dated Kerman, the 29th December 1904*.
From —Mr. A. Gleadowe Newcomen, President, Commercial Mission, Kerman,
To—The Private Secretary to His Excellency the Viceroy.
It is with sincere pleasure that I have learned of the return of His
Excellency Lord Curzon to India, as not only does it mean that the health of
Lady Curzon has improved, but that we shall have the benefit of His Lordship s
interest in the work of the Commercial Mission to Persia.
We, as well as the whole commercial community of India, regretted His
Lordship’s absence during the period that the pros
Mission were under consideration and also
7 a
'O
the
and cons
unfortunate cause
of
of
the
the
same.
e. . . ,
Knowino- what a deep interest His Lordship takes in Persian affairs, it has
struck me that perhaps a few words regarding this Mission might be accept
able.
We have to thank'the Government of India for the excellent arrange
ments made through Major P. Moles worth Sykes for our ran f i
reception at various places, also for the liberal supply o ca P fl P o
horses, without which we should have had some serious mconv
Our first experience of Persia after landing at Bunder Ab as werGfno^
cheering and we were struck by the apparent want of n ' s
it was conspicuous by its absence, for reasons that mus
Eoreign Department. . . _
En route from Bunder Abbas to the high P lat ^’/ f P? e n nd e s y p of^hose
District of Kerman, we were much taken by t e inc ^ , meted out to us
we met^—a friendship that was spontaneous an c 7 ^ ^ ^ 0 ^ ec t s 0 f
because we were Britishers and because our piesen ^ d i v interest in their
our Mission were looked on by them as denoting a kindly interest m
welfare by the Government of India.