"سيستان، بلاد فارس وسيستان" [و‎‎١‎٧‎٥] (٦١٧/٣٥٨)

39
this scheme, but if it were thought desirable to assist His Majesty in this or in anv other
manner financially I would suggest that two separate guarantees should be demanded
(other of course than the Customs guarantee of the southern ports). emanded
lhC - i V 8 the 0pei ? ing of the U PP er Karun t0 British trade, with permission to run
commercial steamers on its waters. 1
TnPT , H J Ma J est y ^es not apparently favour this project, fearing, it is said, the develop
ment of our trading Companies on the lines of the old East India Company-an idea
fostered by Russia and France. The Sadr Azm is piobably also interested in retainincr a
Persian monopoly above Ahwaz, for rumour declares that he has a financial interest in the
JNasin Company ; m any case, neither the weak fears of the Shah, nor Court intrigue, should
be allowed to stand m the way. S 1 UUiU
I attach much importance to the opening out of the Karun, not that British trade is
iikeiy to develop by leaps and bounds, but because, till in direct touch with Shuster and
JJizful, we shall never be able to compel Persia to open up the roads radiating therefrom, or
to insist on the tribes being kept in order.
The second guarantee is one that should safeguard our interests against such action as
was taken by Russia a few years ago, when she obtained a concession giving her the power
to block all railway construction in Persia till the vear 1900.
This concession struck directly at British development in the south, and showed how
regardless Persia can be on occasion of the interests of Great Britain.
(Signed) H. PICOT, Lieutenant-Colonel,
m Military Attache.
lehr an, August 31, 189o.
APPENDIX 5 .
Lieutenant-Colonel Picot to Sir M. Durand.
(Confidential.)
Sib ^ _ Tehran, July 1, 1895.
DURIN G the recent visit of Colonel Yate to Tehran I had an opportunity of discussing
with him the advisability of extending our Agency system of espionage in Central Asia and
the Caucasus, and have now the honour of transmitting a Memorandum on the subject,
for your information.
I also attach certain notes on the position of Her Majesty’s Consulates of Tabriz and
Resht, in Northern Persia, which to some extent bear on the same question.
I am, &c.
(Signed) H. PICOT, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Military Attach6.
Memorandum respecting “News Agencies of Central Asia and the Caucasus!'
(Confidential.)
During the war scare of 1885 about the only information we had regarding the move
ments of Russian troops into Trans-Caspia was from the telegrams and reports of
Mr. Peacock, the Consul at Batoum. Since then the Consulate-General at Meshed has
been established, and a watch is kept on the various cantonments of Trans-Caspia as far
north as Samarkand. As a rule our reports record the movements of Russian troops only
after their arrival in Trans-Caspia.
This is not sufficient; what we require is early and accurate information of activity in
the Caucasus, in Baku, Petrovsk, or Astrakan.
We may, I think, take it for granted that Russia will foresee coming events, and
gradually prepare for the struggle by timely concentrations. Long before the outbreak of
hostilities her troops will be quietly moving towards Trans-Caspia and Khorassan by way
of the Caucasus, and to the Oxus by Orenbourgh and Siberia; whilst both Astrakan and
Tashkend will be pouring in supplies by the Trans-Caspia Railway system. It is at this
time early information will be of the utmost importance.
Our only source at present is Mr. Stevens, the Consul at Batoum, and his powers are
limited to watching the arrivals and departures of Russian troops at Batoum from Odessa.
He has no funds, neither has he any special organization for recording the movements of
troops across the Caspian. Some years ago we had a Consul at Tiflis, but the appointment
was allowed to drop with the departure of Mr. Lyall. The re-establishment of this post
does not appear to be a matter of great moment, more especially as such a measure might
lead Russia to demand similar concessions in India.
On the Caspian itself we have no Consular officer. The Consul at Resht, in Persia, is
some 20 miles inland from the port of Enzileh, and is entirely removed from all chances of
getting news of any movements that may be going on in Russian ports to the north. His
value for such purposes is practically nil.
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