‘Confidential. Persia’ [‎483v] (16/112)

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negotiations with Persia, who, doubtless, would
play off one against the other. His Majesty s
Government consider that the situation in Persia is
governed by the Anglo-Russian unierstanding of
1831*, which was subsequently in 1888 reaffirmed
and emphasized. By this understanding both
powers are bound to maintain not only the integrity,
but the independence of Persia Any arrange
ment under which Persia would pass under the
financial tutelage of either power would be incom
patible with the maintenance of such independence.
In 1888 M. de Giers expressed the view that there
should be no antagonism between British and
Russian commercial interests in Persia. His
Majesty’s Government adhere to that view. They
have always recognized the preponderating interest
of Russia in Northern Persia, while in Southern
Persia, on the other hand, more especially in the
Gulf ports an l also in Seistan, Great Britain has
interests which she cannot allow to be ignored.
“ I request that you will speak to Count Lamsr
dorff in the above sense. You should add that His
Majesty’s Government are ready to discuss in the
most friendly spirit with the Russian Government
the possibility of concerting some arrangement by
which both powers might make a simultaneous
advance to Persia. The tsvo Governments might
accept as their respective security for the advance
Persian revenues denied from sources falling
within the two spheres already indicated.”
The Hon’ble Mr C. Hardinge.
St. Petersburg, 29lh October 1901.
(No. 110.)
Telegraphic.
“ I spoke to Count LamsdorfF this afternoon in j? ocret jj., March 1902, Nos. 377-521, Proceeding
the sense of your telegram No. 173 respecting the No. 409.
possibility of arranging by friendly discussion for
a simultaneous advance of money to Persia, by
Great Britain and Russia, upon the security of
the revenues derived from their respective spheres
of influence in that country.
“ Count Lamsdorff adhered to bis statement
that be himself knew nothing of any negotiations
for a new Persian loan but as it was possible that
M. de Witte might have received proposals for
such negotiations, he would make enquiries from
him on his return to St. Petersburg the day after
tomorrow, and would let me know the result as
far as he was able. He said that he welcomed the
frank discussion between the two Governments of
all such questions as the only means of avoiding
distrust between them, and he asked me to call
again in two or three days for reply.
“ At his request I have given him a French
paraphrase of your telegram (No. 173) for con
venience of reference.”
The Hon’ble Mr. C. Hardinge to the Marquis
or Lansdovvne.
SI. Petersburg, 2nd November 1901.
(No. 114.)
Telegraphic.
“ Persian loan negotiations.
“ Count Lamsdorff informed me this afternoon
that M. de Witte had told him that the Persian
Government, in desperate straits for money, had
applied some time ago for a loan to M. de Witte,
and that he had complied, granting them quite a
•mall sum, or, as he called it, advance. Count
Ibid, Proceeding No. 488 .