مراسلات وملاحظات وقصاصات صحفية متنوعة تتعلق ببلاد فارس [و‎‎٦] (٢٥٥/١١)

suggesting that more than 5 per cent he levied on
other imports chiefly sent by the British Empire, for
example Russia proposes that the duty on tea he
raised from 5 per cent to 8 per cent.
The question is whether our Government ought
not to arrange their own Commercial Treaty with
Persia rather than submit to whatever Russia im
poses on that country*
With regard to No.l, it appears certain that Persia
will require additional money from Russia very soon, and
that amongst other conditions imposed may he included a
concession for a railv/ay (in extension of the line now
under construction hy Russj^io_S^rakhs )
Sistan and hy some route to Bandar Ahhas^with connecting
lines to Kirman, Ispahan, Teheran, Enzeli or Tiflis. For,
of course, the Russc-Persian Railway Agreement can he
modified at any time hy mutual consent.
A so-called lease of Bandar Ahhas will also prohahly
he insisted on.
The fact of Belgian Customs House Officers having
been already appointed throughout Ears and at Persian
Gulf ports, indicates that vigilance will have to he
exercised, lest the customs receipts of those ports he
mc allocated as security for the next Russian loan to the
Persian Government.
When these projects were completed Russia would
dominate a large portion of Southern Afghanistan, including
the rich valley of the Helmund and also the western portion
of British Baluchistan.
By thus extending her claws around Afghanistan,
Russia would largely turn the flank of the mountainous
frontier of India and he in a position to attack through
Southern Afghanistan and Baluchistan.
Our trading entrance into Persia from India would he
closed