File 1421/1908 Pt 2 'Persia: oil; Ahwaz oil guard' [‎69r] (137/482)

J a
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
funds of one-half of the expenditure involved by the dispatch of the guard in question
at a, total initial charge (exclusive of transport charges) of 266L 13s. id. and by its
maintenance at Ahwaz for a period of six months, at the rate of 1,824£ per annum
The guard arrived in Persia about the 17th December, 1907.
At the end _ of six months, owing to the continued disturbed condition of Persia
it was felt that it could not safely be withdrawn ; but steps were taken to determine
the period of its retention, and to arrive at a satisfactory solution as to the incidence of
the resulting cost.
These steps, involving references to officers on the spot, the representatives of the
Oil Syndicate, and the Government of India, have necessarily occupied some time, and
in vievy of the indefinite state of the question, a further communication to the Lords
Commissioners was in the meantime deferred.
It has now been arranged with the Oil Syndicate that they will bear the cost of
maintaining the guard from the 18th January, 1909, at the rate of about lUl 8s.
From correspondence, of which copies are inclosed,' :i: ' it will be observed that the
Government of India strongly recommend, on grounds which are explained, an
additional allowance to the officers of the guard ; in this recommendation both
Lord Morley and Sir E. Grey fully concur. 7 v
I am accordingly to express the earnest hope that the Lords Commissioners will
sanction the charge to Imperial funds of 67/. 26-.—being one moiety of T34Z. 4^^as
additional salary to Lieutenants Ranking and .Wilson for six months from the
17th December, 1907, to the 17th June, 1908, as well as half the cost of the guard, at
the total rate of 174/. 8s. a-month for seven months from the 17th dune, 1908, to the
17th January, 1909. Half the cost of the return journey to India will eventually
become payable from the Imperial Exchequer.
I am to add that it has been with considerable reluctance that the Oil Syndicate
have agreed to bear the future cost of the guard ; and, in these circumstances, Sir E.
Grey considers that any attempt to induce them to defray past expenditure would be
foredoomed to failure.
* India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , November 18; to India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , November 27, 1908; India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. (extract noted),
January 8, 1909.
PERSIA.
[February 1.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 5.
[3348]
No. 1.
Foreign Office to Treasury.
Sir,
As you are aware, the Lords Commissioners sanctioned the charge to Imperial
a-month.
I am, &c.
(Signed) LOUIS MALLET.
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