ملاحظات أُعدت كمرجع خلال جولة كرزون في الخليج الفارسي، وأوراق أخرى عن بلاد فارس والخليج الفارسي [و‎‎٢‎٦‎١] (٦٧٨/٥٢١)

"L 3 ■*-
[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
No. 1 .
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury .— {Received August 18.)
(Ne. 66 .)
(Telegraphic.) P. Gulhek, August 18, 1896.
I HAVE the honour to report the payment, with reference to your Lordship’s
telegram No. 39 of the 6 th August, of the compensation demanded in the Malamir
case. The criminals in both cases have, however, been practically left unpunished.
On the day following Captain Sykes’ arrival at Shuster the Governor of Arabistan
left that place, and Captain Sykes reports that the Governor’s brother, who succeeded
him in the Government, showed him great discourtesy, and refused to return his call.
After a nominal imprisonment, the offenders in the Malamir case absconded, and
Mr. Tanfield’s assailant Sadik was ostensibly sent away to Tehran. On leaving
Shuster Mr. Tanfield was hooted and stoned by the mob. An. Englishman can
no longer live in safety at Shuster. The Sadr-i-Azam declares his inability to control
the mob, owing to there being no trustworthy troops in Arabistan. This statement is
indorsed by Captain Sykes, who says that it would be dangerous to execute Sadik at
Shuster, but that he might be safely executed at Ahwaz. Colonel Wilson urges the
dispatch of gun-boats to lie off Muhammera, in order to re-establish British influence
on the Karun, and he points out that the Persian Government is very sensitive
to pressure at this point, as the Arab Governor of Muhammera, who controls the
Lower Karim, would throw off his allegiance with a little encouragement. It would
not, in my opinion, be advisable to send gun-boats at present. We are on very
friendly terms just now with the Persian Government, though that Government
is weak and dilatory, and the situation in Tehran is exceptionally favourable to
English interests. Our merchants, however, have serious grounds for complaint, and
I would ask your Lordship’s authorization for the following demands:—
1 . That the Governor of Arabistan should pay a visit to Captain Sykes at Shuster,
and apologize fully for the misconduct of the local authorities in the Malamir and
Tanfield cases.
2. That Sadik, who assaulted Mr, Tanfield, should be executed at Shuster or
Ahwaz.
3. That the Persian Government should pay 4,000^. compensation to Mr. Tanfield
for the loss of his left arm and terrible wounds.
We might also hold the Persian Government responsible for the loss which our
merchants have suffered owing to the stoppage of trade at Shuster.
I am addressing your Lordship on the advisability of establishing a Vice-
Consulate at Shuster, properly protected, in order to give security in future to our
traders there.
[1512/-l]