‘Confidential. Persia’ [‎492v] (34/112)

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5. The message from the Shah to Mr.
Kennedy referred to above is alluded to
in the following note written by the
Amin to the Shah on the night of
the same day, informing His Majesty
that the royal message had been deli
vered. The Shah’s assurances to us were
written in his own hand across the Amin’s
letter.
Translation of Amin’s note to Bis Majesty the Shah,
written on the night of the 11th November
1390.
(i dfter compliments,*—1 have seen Kennedy and
have conveyed to him all your instructions. I
told him that the affair is settled, and that it was
signed and exchanged yesterday, and I told him
that Your Majesty says that it was advisable that
this business should have been settled iu this way,
and I said that this has caused no loss either to
Persia or England, and that Your Majesty wishes
Mr. Kennedy to explain this to Lord Salisbury,
and that you are ready to give him perfect assur
ances with regard to the south, and further that
nothing secret has been done.
“ I explained all Your Majesty’s instructions,
and Mr. Kennedy promised to telegraph to Lord
Salisbury to-night.”
Translation of Shah’s reply on the top of the Amin’s
note.
11 Very good. I will write and assure him of the
non-existence of a secret engagement regarding
railways in any way or manner he wishes. The
southern part is, of course, their right (L<?.), in case
a company other than an English one gets (a con
cession) for a railway from us (in the north).”
6 . The assurance given by both the Shah
and the Amin-es-Sultan that the words
“between the two parties*’ had been
omitted, proved to be false, for the signed
protocol was seen by Mr. Kennedy him
self, who observed that the words in ques
tion were inserted in the document. The
explanation obtained by Mr. Kennedy,
from the Amin-es-Sultan is an interesting
record of the Shah’s weakness and dupli
city.
7. The question of a compensating
advantage to be asked from Persia was
then raised by the Marquis of Salisbury,
and the opening of the Upper Karun, or
a general concession for the making of
roads and tramways was suggested.
Finally preferential tramway rights in
the south and the immediate construc
tion of the Ahwaz tramway were demanded
by the Marquis of Salisbury and were
conceded by the Shah.
The Marquis op Salisbury to Mr. R. J.
Kennedy.
20th November 1390.
Telegram.
'* Your telegrams Nos. 268 and 273 [of 11th
and 14th instant].
Secret, May 1892, Nos. 284*398, Proceeding No.
394.
Ibid, Proceeding No. 395.
Secret E., May 1892, Nos. 284-398, Froceedine
No. 392. K
Ibid, Proceeding No. 397.
Tramways.
rt Point out to Persian Government that recent
agreement with Russia is most injurious to
British interests, and wholly at variance with
professions we have received from the Shah and
Secret E., May 1892, No». 284-398, Proceed!
No. 359.
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