ملف ١٩١٦/٣٣٦٠ الجزء ٢ "مراسلات بلاد فارس. (١٩١٧-١٩١٨)" [و‎‎٤‎٤] (٦٧٨/٩٢)

to consider and could not afford to participate in a debacle caused by
disobedience of Trans-Caspian troops and want of confidence in the Govern
ment. According therefore I must insist on drastic steps being taken by his
'Government to enforce discipline and take such measures as would enlist all
© lookers on, in the fighting ranks.
2. The accuracy of my remarks was admitted by delegate, who is send
ing a telegram to his Government advocating a summary course of action to
deal with this indiscipline, and also adopt measures which will reconcile all
elements of anti-Bolshevism.
100
(Received with Army Department memoranda m No. 11318, dated the 22nd August 1918.)
Telegram P., No, M. D.-00260, dated the 17th (received 19th) August 1918.
From— General Malleson, Meshed,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla,
My 00251, August 16th.
My suggestions have been accepted in principle by the Trans-Caspian
Government who state they are considering the appointment of a military
dictator and are introducing drastic discipline. Non-receipt of assistance from
Baku has caused them considerable depression (refer to my telegram No.
.00213, dated 11th August).
104
Telegram P., No, 143, dated the 20th (received 21st) August 1918.
Prom—His Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla (repeated Baghdad and Bushire).
No objection has been raised by the Prime Minister to operations being
ppenly undertaken in Busbire-Shiyaz Road, but will be glad to see it done. The
Prime Minister, however, points out that having reached opened road, we can
not afford to see it again closed. He cannot be induced, howeyer, to invite us
$0 take action.
This refers to your telegram No. 950-S.
107
Telegram P., No. 1013-S., dated the 23rd August 1918.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla,
To—The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Baghdad.
Bakhtiaris. The following telegram from His Majesty’s Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, No. 435, August 20th, to Minister, Tehran, is
repeated to you:— Begins. Your telegram * * * August 12th. Ends.
We see no difficulty so long as the British officers and non-commissioned
officers are limited to those actually belonging to the section of mountain
artillery. We feel, however, that proposal is open to following objections
if His Majesty’s Government propose to attach additional officers under
pretext of being on strength of mountain artillery:—($) that Zafar and
other Khans might interpret prolonged presence of British officers^ and non
commissioned officers as relieving themselves of full responsibility for
protection of oil-fields, &c.; {b) it might prove, particularly with younger
Khans, a source of friction, and lead to trouble; (c) it might afford to
democrats at Tehran a handle against new and presumably friendly Govern
ment and give ground for suspicion that we are introducing into Bakhtiari
country South Persia Rifles scheme; (d) in sparing really suitable officers
there may be difficulty.