ملف ٤٦٩/ ١٩١٧ جزء ١ "بلاد فارس: شؤون بختياري" [و‎‎٢‎٥‎٠] (٥٣٥/٥١١)

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From Sir P. Cox, \9th September 1915 .
(Addressed to India, repeated to Minister, Secretanj of State
, for India.)
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2(\69$. My telegram No. 2040 B. dated 17th Septembei and Minister’s •
telegram No. 295 dated 17th September. AclAjl
Bakhtiari. Unless instructed to contrary 1 would propose wwohoin.^
initial negotiations with Ilkhani| and IJjbegi on lines iinlicated in my telegram ^
No. 108lB. dated Idth May as modified by Government \ of India telegrams
No 493 B. dated 15th May and Foreign Office telegram No. 121 dated 21st f
May. In regard to last-named telegram however, as anticipated in my b Hu*.
telegram T. 13 dated 22nd May, I would point out that events have shown
clearly that cash payments do not serve purpose and that Bakhtiari require,
as I think is natural, something more substantial and enduring. I trust,
therefore, that 1 may be authorised, whilst omitting all reference to their
obtaining access to Persian Gulf littoral, to negotiate with them on lines
above suggested. Preliminary communications could conveniently be
exchanged through the Sheikh of Mohammerah through whom Khans have
approached me. ,
As regards promise of assistance in obtaining Governois^ the only
essential is Ispahan, which is in their sphere and on which they have in
practice an undoubted lien, and in regard to which they are 1 think
entitled to claim our assistance, especially as there is some reason to hope
Ispahan will eventually be recognised as part of our sphere.
Conclusion of a satisfactory agreement with Khans, which should include
a permanent settlement of Sheikh and Bakhtiari trouble*, would be uuMmi.
j*friuH of such immense/and strategical value to us that J earnestly'diope
Govern ment will consent without delay to negotiate on above lines, ^h'da r
Muhtas] Gias on several occasions during past 10 years himsell made
overtures for closer political relations between the Bakhtiari and Ills
Majesty’s Government, and there is every reason to think he would prove
amenable now ; the fact that he has taken first step through the mediation
of Sheikh is of some importance. *——
We need to remember that newly-appointed Ilkhani/ and l lb eg i/ may be
expected to remain in power for some years to come, and if opening offered
by them be neglected now it will not probably recur, in this connection 1
have to report that from correspondence received this mail lor Bushire, it is
apparent that Soulet-ud-Dowleh has now sided with hostile element among J ' j- /
Khans of Bushire hinterland, and he and his /bave been writing menacin g
letters to our adherents rdmM’ing. Sink / join"forces against us:
lj believe ibis could have been avoided had my advice to offer other
inducements than money been taken when it was submitted,
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