"المصالح البريطانية في بلاد فارس والخليج" [ظ‎‎٨‎٢] (٦/٢)

2
Competitors.
Russia.
Persia.
Germany.
France.
Turkey.
alienation of the Sheikh’s territory to any power except the British. In
Muskat we have prevented Erance from acquiring a position at Bunder Jisseh
... , for a coaling station; and we have
* Political, 19-4/99. notified to the Persian Government*
(Foreign Office telegram, dated 7th April 1899) that our political interests
are not compatible" with the exercise of any control or jurisdiction by a
European Power over the ports on the Persian Gulf. On 17th April the
Persian Government replied that the Shah <{ would not admit in the Gull
ports, or elsewhere in Persia, anything which may be incompatible with
“ the sovereign independence of the country.”
3. The competitors for interest in the Persian Gulf are Pussia, Persia,
Germany, France, Turkey, Muskat, and ourselves.
Russia exercises a predominant influence over Northern Persia, and the
pressure of her advance from her territorial base is being felt in three
directions. It is felt first on the north-east of Persia where the cart-road
from Asterabad to the Meshed frontier, the completion of the rail-road via
Merv to Kushk, and Russian action in Khorassan, are pushing foward the
hand of Russia so that it may hereafter reach to Birjand and Kerman, and
eventually to the Gulf. It is felt, secondly, on the north-west where the
railway to Kars, almost finished, is to be extended to Erivan in the direction
of the Tabriz frontier; the Nestorian community in Urumiah are being
converted to a proper sense of Russia’s mission ; and Russian eyes are directed
to Khanikin, whence, if the Kapnist scheme is realised, a railway line may
cross Mesopotamia to Baghdad or Koweit. Thirdly, it is felt along the new
road from Enzeli to Teheran, whence it is no far cry via Hamadan and
Kirmanshah to Khanikin. Another line of advance might be Ispahan, where
there is a Russian Consul, then Shiraz or Ahwaz, and thus Bushire or Fao
might prove most attractive objectives. We have heard lately of movements
to seize a port on Kishm (Kesso), of Russian agents at Koweit, of a
scientific investigator M. Zarudni, in Sistan, and other incidents of a
similar character. Under the Kapnist scheme of a line from the
Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, Russian control is reserved for the
branch from Khanikin to Nedjef via Baghdad.
Persia has latelyf assured us that she will not part with her ports or
any sovereign rights. But her internal
f 1924/99. condition might produce revolution,
and her army is practically useless, and of such stuff that little could be made
of it. On the north, Russia’s weight is irresistible, and Persia is already a
puppet in her hands.
Germany is no negligable quantity. Already she holds an important
position in the railway system in Asia Minor, and if the Anatolian railway
is extended to Baghdad, her interest in a port in the north-western corner
of the Persian Gulf will be vital.
X P.W. 5o2/99. Germany, too, is acquiringt direct
telegraphic communication with Asia Minor, through Kustendje and
Constantinople, and the Emperor’s recent tour, as well as the trend of his
policy at Constantinople, indicate a possibility that, in the event of a serious
conflict with Russia, Germany may be a factor on our side, or at least to be
reckoned with. Not only may the Kapnist scheme assist German designs, but
also we have lately heard of a concession for internal railway communication
in Persia being granted to an Engineer who is negotiating with German
capitalists. (Foreign Office, Asia, Prints, 4th April and 1st May 1899.)
France has tightened by recent events her right to protect Muskat,
and, unfortunately, Muskat includes Gwadar, a port on the Baluch coast,
and also a long line of Arab coast, which, in the belief that India was the
real protector of Oman, we have chosen to regard as part of Muskat. The
French have a fleet, and the Persian Gulf is very near the Karachi port of
India.
Turkey certainly possesses Fao and one side of the Shat-el-Arab. Her
right to the El Katif coast has been practically admitted by us. South of
Bahrein she has a garrison at El Bidaa. She claims a right to Koweit,
which we dispute. There have been rumours of her granting concessions to
pearl fisheries in the Gulf, and in Asia Minor, at least, she holds territories
reaching to the Gulf.