CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924 — Page 79

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The motive for seeking naturalisation was probably the same

in the cases of both Messre, Nemazi and Meesre. Isfahani and

it is at least probable that the knowledge of this fact underlies the Persian opposition to acceptance of their British

nationality.

As Your Lordship will know the corruption and lack of justice in the Adlieh courte remains unchanged and it is therefore desirable that firms of the type mentioned above should enjoy the privileges of the Karguzari courts if they are bona fide and are engaged in promoting British trade in Persia. As Mr. Nemazi is however the chief trader in Persian opium and has secured what amounts to a monopoly in this distasteful traffic with the Far East, he can hardly be Baid to be promoting British interests and his nationality is likely to reflect discredit on Great Britain in the eyes of the American Advisers whose efforts at reform he is almost

certain to obstruct in the near future.

I therefore beg leave to request Your Lordship

to furnish me with instructions on the following points:-

1.

What are the views of His Majesty's Government concerning the contention of the Persian Government regarding the acquisition of British nationality by Persian subjects in general as instanced in the cases already quoted.

2.

To what extent individually I should assist Messrs. Nemazi, Messrs. Isfahani and Messra, Hariri as British subjects, or as British firme if they are found to have a right to call themselves such in each case,

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3. What action should be taken in the case of Messre.

Nemazi if their interests clash with the reforms of the

Persian Government in the matter of opium control.

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A copy of this despatch is being sent to the

Government