‘Confidential. Persia’ [‎494r] (37/112)

V ^
^ 4
35
equally open to tlie English to undwtahe
if they wished. On 4th April the Marquis
of Salisbury instructed the British Charge
d’Affaires as follows :—
Secret E., August 1900, Nos. 27*65, Proceeding
No. 36.
The Mauquis of Salisbury to Mr. Spring-Rice.
Foreign Office, 4th April 1000.
No. 35 (Confidential).
(Telegraphic.)
u Your telegrams Nos. 43 and 49.
f< Refer to Sir H. "Wolff’s telegram No. 76 of
the 10th March 1889, and his despatch No. 62
of the 20th March, which contain a distinct
promise from the late Shah that Great Britain
shall have priority in the construction of a southern
railway to Tehran, that if concessions for railways
are given to others in the north, a similar conces
sion shall be granted to an English company in
the south, and that no southern railway con
cession shall he granted to any foreign company
without consultation with Her Majesty’s Govern
ment. You should remind the Persian Govern
ment of this engagement, as to the continued
validity of which there can be no doubt, and
make sure that the Shah is aware of its exis
tence ”
Mr. Spring-Rice took special precautions
that this communication should reach the
Shah and the clear recognition by His
Imperial Majesty of the continued and
binding force of the document given by
his father is shown in the following ex
tracts :—
Mr. Spring-Rice to Foreign Office.
11th April 1000.
No. 58.
(Telegraphic.)
a Sadr Azam told me rescript had been laid
llni, Proceeding No, 40. before Shah, who‘regarded it as of binding force.
For the next ten years owing to Russian railway
agreement, the question of concessions would
not arise. If the Russians raised it, His Majesty
would produce his father’s promise to us.
(i Minister for Foreign Affairs told me this was
the answer to my written note. The Russian
Minister is aware of autograph, but says there is
no question of Russian railway construction.”
Mr. Spring-Rice to Foreign Office.
Secret E., August 1900, Nos. 27-65,
No, 41.
11th April 1900.
(Telegraphic.)
(No. GO.)
(Secret.)
“ Shah has just sent me privately following
message :— f My policy has not changed and will
not change. I am and will remain the friend of
England.’ ”
Mr. Spring-Rice to Foreign Office.
26th April 1900.
(Extract.)
(Secret.)
“ The Sadr Azam accompanied me to the door
Tbid, Proceeding No. 47. an ^ ga id. to me—‘ His Majesty has seen your com
munication and his father’s autograph. His
Majesty said that it was a binding document, hut
that there could be no question of any railway
concession either in north or south for ten years.
If the others take any measures we will show
them this autograph. Rest assured that there is no
cause now.’ ”