‘Confidential. Persia’ [‎491v] (32/112)

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of this Agreement, neither to construct a railway
in Persian territory, nor to permit nor grant a
concession for the construction of railways to a
company or other persons ; and after the expiration
of the ten years th 3 renewal of the prolongation
shall be immediately discussed between the two
parties.
“ By railway lines is to be understood all lines
upon which steam or any other motive power
is used, and all such lines are included in this
agreement.
“ Tramway lines which are drawn by horses, and
which are situated in towns or in places near towns
are not included in this Agreement.
“ A railway line from Tehran to Slmmran, where
are situated the summer residences of His Most
Sacred, Sublime Majesty, the most distant of which
is two farsakhs from Tehran, is excluded from this
Agreement and engagement.
“ After the signature of this Agreement as much
of the document of the month of Rajab ld()(>
(March 1889) as concerns railways becomes null
and void.
“ This Agreement, in duplicate, has been sealed
and signed in Tehran, 27th of the month of Rabbi-
ul-evvel ISOB.” (11th November 1890.)
4 The bistory of this transaction, ending
in the Shah’s renewed assurance that the
right to construct railways in the south of
Persia was reserved to Great Britain, is
sufficiently given in the following tele
graphic correspondence between the Mar
quis of Salisbury and the British Legation
at Tehran :—
Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. R. J. Kennedy,
October 27th, 1890.
(No. 107.)
(Telegram.)
“ Information has reached Her Majesty’s
Government from an indirect source that Russian
Government are about to demand from Persian
Government surrender of Shah’s sovereign rights
in regard to the construction of railways. De
mand audience of His Majesty, and request, in
the name of Her Majesty’s Government, to be
informed whether this is the case. Warn Shah
that Her Majesty’s Government cannot, and will
not, recognise any agreement that places Her Ma
jesty’s Government in a position of inferiority to
that enjoyed by any other State, and that by
abdicating his rights he is exposing himself and
his country to serious risks. Her. Majesty’s
Government have no intention of pressing for the
construction of railways in opposition.to His Ma
jesty’s wishes, but they consider that in the inter
est both of himself and his allies, he should not
pledge his freedom of action beyond a limited
period.”
Mr. R. J. Kennedy to the Marquis of
Salisbury.
29(h October 1890.
No. 259 (Secret).
Telegram.
(Extract.)
“ Your telegram 107.
Yesterday 1 saw Amm and found that Russian
Minister had arranged to [sign* (?)] Protocol
that evening. I read Your Lordship’s telegram
textually and spoke in the strongest manner on
the subject, warning His Highness that it was the
tirst step towards reducing Persia to the level of
Secret E., May 1832, Nos. 281-398, Proceeding
No. 318.
• Group omitted.
Secret E., May 1892, Nog. 284-39S, Proceeding
No. 320.
*