ملف ١٩١٦/٣٣٦٠ الجزء ١ "مراسلات بلاد فارس (١٩١٦-١٩١٧)" [ظ‎‎١‎٩] (٨٠٤/٤٣)

*6'■ difficult that he would be forced to resign in a few months time and
they were able to extort from him a written undertaking that he would en e
into no negotiations with us without first consulting them. This P°hey has
been steadily pursued and has more than once nearly led to open rupture.
Present posftion is that Zafar and Ashja owing to undertaking already re . terr ^
to our lack of support and impoverishment of Bakhtiari Revenues owing t
drought and locusT^re not in position to take independent effectiye action in
our interests.
Mpasure of sunnort that they ask for is following
(1) Letter of encouragement from you.
(2) Letter from you to Sardar Mohtasham and Murtaza Quli
threatening them with retaliatory action against their estates m Arabistan
if they persist in their intrigues against Zafar.
(3) Pressure to be brought to bear on Khans in Tehran to send ruling
Khans a letter of encouragement.
(4) Assistance against Kuhgelus on lines suggested in my succeeding
telegram. Ruling Khans state that with this assistance their position should
be sufficiently secure to allow of our raising Bakhtiari Levies next year.
If, however, we are anxious to commence raising Levies this winter, they
say that they are ready to assist us if we will send a small force to Malazuir.
(4)
Telegram, dated (and received) the 9th September 1917.
From— Captain Noel, Ispahan,
To—The Hon’ble the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Basrah.
The reference made in last paragraph of my telegram 411, September
Sth, is only to throw light on the attitude of Sardar Zafar.
(5)
Telegram R., No. 412, dated the 10th (received Uth) September 1917.
From— Captain Nobl, Ispahan,
To—His Majesty's Minister, Tehran.
My telegram No. 411. Kuhgelu.
1. Bakhtiaris are at present unable to tackle Kuhgelu by themselves
owing to internal dissensions and temporary impoverishment of their finances.
2. On the other hand process of gradual absorption is continuing and
Bahmai originally a purely Kuhgelu tribe is now to all intents and purposes
Bakhtiari.
3. Above process -will in time result in absorption of whole of Kuhgelu
and this result may at any time be greatly expedited by amelioration of
factors mentioned in paragraph I.
4. It would seem advisable that we should take advantage of present
situation by offering Khans necessary assistance which will ensure preserva
tion of Kuhgelu as separate tribal unit and establishment of our influence
amongst them.
5. Assistance required is loan of two guns and payment of 50 to 7$
thousand tomans as contribution towards expenses of expedition. Disburse
ment of this sum to be entirely in our hands.
6. Khans in return agree to (a) appointment of single Governor ia
consultation with us.
(5) Raising of Kuhgelu levies under British officer.
(c) Establishment of revenue and other departments at Behbeban.
(d) Acting generally in consultation with Political Officer appointed by
us.
Addressed Tehran ; repeated Basrah and Ispahan,