‘Confidential. Persia’ [‎500r] (49/112)

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Pro-memoriA.
(Persian translation read and communicated
TO THE MuSHIR-ED-DoWLEH.)
(Undated. Probable date seems to be 22 nd March “ Her Majesty’s Consul-General at Bushire has
1900. Enclosed in Mr. Spring- Uice’s despatch No. recently called Lord Salisbury’s attention to the
17, dated the 27th March 1 U 00 .) state of affairs at M ohummerah. As you are
aware, Lord Salisbury offered his assistance for
arriving at a settlement, which, as he has been
informed, will be postponed till after the Shah’s
return from Europe.
Secret E., June 1900, Nos. 35-09, Enclosure Pro- <( L or( J Salisbury thinks it due to the friendship
ceding No. 67. existing between the Governments of Persia and
Great Britain that there should be a clear under
standing of his view’s as to the ports of Moham-
merah, Bushire, Bundar Abbas, and other ports of
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . This is the best way to avoid
difficulties in the future.
“ It is not necessary to remind the Persian Gov
ernment of the circumstances which make it im
possible for Her Majesty’s Government to regard
with indifference what happens in the ports above
named.
“ As this Legation has recently stated, the con
trol of these ports by a foreign power might lead
to a state of things which Her Majesty’s Govern
ment, in the interests of the Indian Empire, would
be bound to resist. And this has been recognized
by the Persian Government, who, on the 23rd
October 1897, gave a written promise that the
customs of Southern Persia should never be placed
under foreign control and supervision.
The Persian Government did not fail to bear
this promise in mind during the recent negotia
tions, and, as the Sadr-i-Azam has informed Her
Majesty’s Legation, the customs revenues of the
above-mentioned ports were specially excepted from
those which formed the guarantee of the Russian
loan.
“ I am to state that Her Majesty’s Government
must hold the Persian Government to the strict
observance of this engagement.
“There is another aspect of this question to
which I should draw your attention. As the
Persian Government is aware, far the larger part
of the trade of the above-mentioned ports is Bri
tish Tins trade (which is the common interest of
Persia and Great Britain) imposes certain duties
on Her Majesty’s Government, and they cannot
pass without notice any measure likely to affect
its position and prospects.
And it is from this point of view that I am to
inform the Persian Government, as a message
from Lord Salisbury, that in view of our interest
in the trade of Mohammerah and in the naviga*
tion of the Karun, Her Majesty’s Government
must insist that they have the right to be consult
ed before any change is made in the administration
of the customs, or in the position of the Sheikh.”
Pro-memoriA.
(Persian translation read and communicated
to the Mushir-ed-Dowleh.)
(Umlated. Probable date 22nd March 1900. En- “ I have received a telegram from Lord Salis-
closed in Mr. Spring-Rice’s despatch No. 17, dated bury which I hasten to transmit to Your Excellen-
the 27th March 1900.)
cj .
Enclosure 2 in Secret E„ June 1900, No*. 35*69, . ‘Your Excellency will see that Lord Salisoury
Proceeding No. 67. is anxious that he may be informed beforehand of
any steps which the Persian Government may