مجموعة ٢٨ /٦٧ "بلاد فارس: تقارير سنوية، ١٩٣٢-" [و‎‎٢‎٠] (٦٤٤/٣٩)

37
[8706] d 3
Persian Naval Activity.
206. In January the Italian Government replied to the British communica
tion (see annual report for 1931, paragraph 198) about the activities of the
Italian-officered Persian navy, asking that they might be supplied with the texts
of the treaties governing the relations of His Majesty’s Government with the
rulers of the Arab coast of the Gulf, in order that they might carry out their
^'•“^flifritention of regulating as far as possible their own political action in that area
so as not to conflict with British interests. These texts were communicated to
them in due course.
207. After considerable discussion His Majesty’s Minister was authorised
in February to make, in a modified form, the communication to the Persian
Government which he had proposed (see annual report for 1931, paragraph 199)
should be made with a view both to counteracting the possible ill-effects that
might follow if the Persian Government learned that a communication had been
made to the Italian Government, and of intimating to them that if their navy
visited Arab ports it would be expected to comply with ordinary international
procedure. The suggestion for the re-definition of the status quo was not to be
made, Tamb was not to be specifically mentioned and the use of words indicating
that His Majesty’s Government 'presumed the Persian navy would wish to visit
Arab ports was to be avoided. In other respects, however, His Majesty’s Minister
was given discretion as to the language he used. At the same time the Political
Resident was authorised to obtain from the Arab rulers declarations that they
wished to receive notification before a Persian warship visited their ports, and
these declarations were in due course collected. The opportunity for making the
communication that His Majesty’s Minister originally had in mind had, however,
passed, though the matter was broached tentatively with Teymourtache once or
twice. The latter showed little interest in the question, though he indicated once
that for such visits the Persian Government would follow ordinary procedure.
208. The Persian navy left Italy in September, the Persian Government
having previously informed His Majesty’s Minister that they would call on their
way at Corfu, Aden and Muscat and certain other ports, in terms that amounted
to no more than simple notification. The squadron arrived at Mohammerah.
via Charbar, Bushire and Bandar Shahpur—Muscat was, after all, omitted—
early in November.
209. Shortly after its arrival the Political Resident suggested that in case
the navy were to pay unheralded visits to the Arab coast the warning that the
various rulers would require notification before a visit took place should now be
delivered. His Majesty’s Minister, though he considered that at the stage which
had then been reached a warning would in ordinary circumstances be unsound
tactics, expressed his readiness, in view of the Political Resident’s opinion, to
use the occasion offered by the receipt of instructions to communicate to the
Persian Government revised draft notes regarding visits by British and Persian
warships to the ports of the other party, to bring in the question of visits to the
Arab coast. Teymourtache was accordingly informed that, though the draft
notes made no mention of the ports of Arab rulers, it could be taken for granted
that these rulers would at the very least expect prior notification before a Persian
naval visit took place.
210. In the meanwhile the Political Resident gave the political agents the
following instructions for cases of unannounced visits by Persian warships to the
Arab coast:—
(a) If no party were landed no action should be taken, though the Persian
Government would be informed that the ruler concerned would expect
notification another time.
(b) Similarly, if a party were landed to purchase provisions, they should be
allowed to do so.
(c) If a ceremonial visit on the ruler or political agent were sought this
should be refused.
{d) If a party were landed not with the idea of actual aggression, but to
assert a claim to ownership, this should not be resisted by force.