‘Confidential. Persia’ [‎524v] (98/112)

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and produced grave and far-reaching effects. The
British Government takes note with satisfaction
of the announcement which His Highness the
Atabeg-i-Azam has enabled me to make to it,
that although no written arrangements modify
ing the customs system on tho Karun have been
made between the Persian Government and the
Sheikh of Mohammerah, as its principal local
representative, yet the Sheikh will be retained
as the titular Head o£ the Customs, with an in
creased salary and employment for his relations,
and it has every hope that the new Customs Ad
ministration, whose establishment it has always
regarded with sympathy, will prove of benefit to
all parties concerned. It also learns with pleasure
that the Persian Government is willing to main
tain the existing Custom-hous^ at Ahwaz, the
retention of which is deemed important to the
commercial interests of the British merchants en
gaged in the trade and navigation of the Karun.
But it must again reserve its right, in the event
of further changes which it could not view v/ith
equal approbation, to make friendly representations
with regard to them to the Persian Government,
and if need be, take such other ulterior steps as
it may deem requisite for the protection of Bri
tish interests, both political and commercial,
should these in its opinion be threatened. It is
glad however to take the opportunity of expres
sing its confidence in the friendly assurances which
His Highness the Atabeg has renewed to it and
which on its side it is happy to reciprocate.
**1 trust that this frank and explicit state
ment of the views entertained on the subject by
His Majesty’s Government may remove all pos
sibility of doubt or misunderstanding on the part
of the Persian Government.”
Sia A. Habdinge to the Marquis op
Lansdowne.
(No. 19-A.)
Tehran. 1st February 1903.
_ , , j . r •i.u Secret E., August 1903, Pvo. No. 139,
“I have the honour to transmit herewith a
translation of the reply of the Mushir-ed-Dowleh
to the note respecting the customs and status of
the Sheikh of Mohammerah which I addressed,
by Your Lordship’s directions, to His Excellency,
as reported in my despatch No. 1 of the 6th
ultimo.
“ This note, as Your Lordship will observe,
takes no exception to any of the reservations made
in mine, and is couched in very friendly language.”
Mushir-ed-Dowleh to Sib A. Hardinge.
13th January 1903.
(Translation.)
«I have had the pleasure of receiving Your
Excellency’s letter of the 9th* January last,, and * t 6th January,
have with satisfaction made myself acquaiilted
with the contents which signify the sincere friend
ship between the two Governments, and I would
now express my own heartfelt satisfaction at the
friendly assurances exchanged between the two
powers, and I trust that the harmony and
sincerity which has for so long existed between
the two powers may be still further strengthened,
and that the friendly feelings between the author
ities of both powers may as always tend to an
increased amity.”
The written communications, however,
do not appear to have informed the Per
sian Government how far we were prepar
ed to support the Sheikh by force of arms