ملاحظات أُعدت كمرجع خلال جولة كرزون في الخليج الفارسي، وأوراق أخرى عن بلاد فارس والخليج الفارسي [و‎‎٢‎٤‎٩] (٦٧٨/٤٩٧)

[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
'LL!
NO- 7. PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY.
ASIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
2507
[October 5.]
Section 1.
No. 1.
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received October 5.)
(No. 52.)
My Lord, Gulhek, September 8, 1896.
. . LLAVE the lionoiu to report that on Saturday, the 29th August, I was received
m private audience by His Majesty the Shah, and presented to him the Queen’s letter
of condolence.
The Shah was polite and friendly in his inquiries about Her Majesty’s health and
expressed his gratitude for the good-will shown in her letter.
He took advantage of the opportunity to inform me that he had lately o-iven
much attention to the affairs of Southern Persia, and he assured me that I mi Hit now
make my mind easy on the suojecc, as order and good government would shortly be
restored both in Pais and on the Karim. I thanked His Ivlajesty for the assurance,
but went on to speak in very serious terms of the existing condition of affairs. I hope
the Shah nas now ically come to understand that the situation is one with which it
will be unsafe to trifle any longer.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. M. DURAND.
No. 2.
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received October 5.)
(No. 55. Confidential.)
My Gulhek, September 11, 1896.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith a Summary of Frontier
News which has been prepared by Mr. Wyndham.
I have, &c.
(Signed) II. M. DURAND.
Inclosure in No. 2.
Summary of Frontier News.
THE two points which at present chiefly occupy the attention of the Legation
are the Karun district and Meshed. But, as the questions at issue on the Karun have
been fully dealt with in telegrams and despatches, it will be only necessary in this
summary to touch upon the situation at Meshed. From Mr. Elias’ accounts, the weak
and desultory nature of government in Khorassan is producing its natural results, and
a crisis, of which advantage may he taken by the Russians, is likely to occur unless
strong measures be taken to secure order. But, unfortunately, the Persian Govern
ment are in no position and seem to have no inclination to take strong measures.
The province has long been in a bankrupt condition, and the present Governor, the
Asif-ed-Dowleh, is not only in debt to the Government for the taxes due from
himself, but has also inherited heavy liabilities from his predecessor. He has applied,
through Mr. Elias and this Legation, either to be confirmed in his office or to be
replaced. Of the. two he would prefer to be replaced, and to leave his debts and his
province. But this the Government declare themselves unable to allow, and say they
can find no strong Governor to replace him. Indeed, the absolute lack of any officials
possessed of the slightest administrative training is very remarkable. The Sadr-i-Azam
stood almost entirely alone during the crisis succeeding the Shah’s death. In Ears,
where a strong and just Governor is at present urgently required, the Government
[1626 c—1]