'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎582r] (1165/1386)

BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND INDIA. 11
directly under the control of the Shah and his Ministers at Teheran.
Oppression has thereby certainly diminished. By means of the telegraph
Persia has been brought practically within the community of European
States. She now has regular diplomatic relations by means of embassies
and legations with Great Britain, Russia, Turkey, France, Germany,
Austria, Italy, and the United States of America. A regular postal sys
tem has been organised, with a bi-weekly post to Europe, and a weekly
one from Teheran to India and all parts of Persia. A participator from
the beginning in the International Telegraph Convention for the regulation
of international telegraphy, Persia has for a good many years been also
a member of the Postal Union. A beginning has been made in the con
struction of carriageable roads in the neighbourhood of Teheran, where
also a short railway six miles in length has recently been opened. As
announced by the Prime Minister at the Mansion-house, the Shah has
this year opened to the navigation of all countries the only navigable
river in his dominions, the Karun, an affluent of the Shat el Arab, into
which it flows near the town of Mohammerah. These and many other
signs of progress that could be enumerated are in great measure due to
the successful establishment and maintenance of our telegraph in Persia
during the last twenty-five years, and more especially to the good rela
tions which have so long subsisted between our telegraph staff and all
ranks and classes of the people.
While thus attributing to the Telegraph a large share in the improved
Government and slow but steady progress of Persia during the last
quarter of a century, it would be altogether misleading and unjust if I
inferred that it was the sole, or even the principal, cause of the forward
movement that is going on. That cause must be sought for in the
high intelligence of the Persian people, and in the liberal and patriotic
spirit of the Sovereign who has ruled over the land for the last forty
years.
It is, I think, worthy of record that the long and constant intercourse
between our telegraph staff and all sorts and conditions of men in Persia,
instead of begetting, as it might easily have done, mutual aversion and
ill-will, has had the very opposite effect. For many years the relations
of our staff with the Persians of all classes have been of the most friendly
character. When you remember that our English staff, numbering fifty
or sixty individuals, is scattered all over the country, along a line of 1300
miles, many absolutely alone so far as other Europeans are concerned, and
all brought by the nature of their duties into constant contact with the
rulers and people of the country, I think you will agree with me that the
friendly feelings and mutual good offices which prevail are highly credit
able to English and Persians alike. We have always endeavoured to act on
the principle of conducting ourselves towards the Persians, in social as
well as business matters, as if they were our fellow-countrymen, and they
have certainly responded in a generous and hospitable manner. Speaking
personally, I am happy to count among them some of my best friends, and
I look back with pleasure on my long residence of over twenty years in
their country, in whose independence and welfare I shall always take the
deepest interest.