ملف ٣٥١٦\١٩١٤ الجزء ١٨ "الحرب الألمانية: بلاد فارس؛ الوضع العام - ١٩١٦" [و‎‎٥‎٦] (٣٦٨/١٢٠)

Bussian Government and Government of India have expressed a preference
for an agreement for benevolent neutrality on the part oi: Persia—please see Pet-
ro^rad ttdegram No. 1856, and Government of India’s telegram No. HI (• *57)
D.^S—on the ground that Persia’s requirements were excessive; hut on the other
hand, while we have not carried on conversation any further at present, Inme
Minister’s suggestions for benevolent neutrality, both Shah and barman larma
desire to conclude alliance with us, nor except by intimating that Persia must
considerably abate her demands have we discouraged idea. Parman 1 a^mai
believe quite realises that with success of Pussian troops in north and e
good prospect that an advance towards Baghdad can be resumed short y
(according to last if rather meagre information I have from Sir P. Cox) ^ rlI ^ e
Minister’s terms would he quite out of place now and His Excellency would be
more modest in his terms. I feel fairly confident, for instance, that he w ould
omit suggestion of cession of holy places.
To bind Persian Government to some kind of formal agreement seems
necessary and it should he unquestionably of a positive not negative kind.
I w r ould recommend therefore that we aim not at benevolent neutrality but
at alliance and that Bussian Minister and I be authorised reopen question
privately with Barman Parma as prospective Prime Minister and endeavour to
ascertain what he w r ould put forward by way of conditions.
249
Telegram P., No. 160, dated the 23rd (received 24th) December 1915.
From--His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
The following telegram is addressed to Foreign ; repeated to Meshed and
Sistan who should communicate information to Birjand
On the 6th December some Austrians with 30 loaded mules lelt tor labbas
from Ispahan.
250
Telegram R., No. 767-C., dated the 23rd (received 24th) December 1915.
p r0 m The Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.
Mv telegram No. 763-C., Postal Courier from Borasjun to-day reports
news received there that fighting between Kawam and Gendarmerie bad begun
and that all Gendarmerie m Borasiun bad hurried off to Shiraz to support their
comrades
It seems most urgent that Persian Government should send immediate
instructions to Soulet to co-operate with Kaw-am and do what they can to help
or at least encourage latter.
Sent to Tehran, repeated to Foreign and Basrah.
251
Telegram P., No. 398-F., dated the 23rd (received 24th) December 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
(Addressed to Bushire, repeated to London, Cox.)
Information has been received by Persian Government that attack has
been made on Gendarmerie by Kawam and Soulet is being urged strongly to
give him support.