ملف ١١١٠\ ١٩١٦ الجزء ٢ "بلاد فارس: مسائل متنوعة عن الوضع" [ظ‎‎٦‎٨] (٢٧٦/١٤١)

83
Telegram R., No. 154—923, dated the 20th (received 21st) April 1916.
From—The Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India iu the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
My telegram No. 148—674. Have to-day received letter from O’Connor,
April 17tli, giving result of an interview with Zair Khadir and Shaikh Hussain
at which latter made the following proposals :—
(1) Immediate exchange of British prisoners against Tangistan prisoners.
(2) Khans to give formal assurances of friendship to the British Govern
ment in return for assurances of friendship from us. Their assurances to
include promise to abstain from intrigues with German subjects or agents.
(3) Shaikh Hussain’s money, which was attached, to be returned, also
some smuggled tea belonging to Zair Khadir.
(4) Shaikh Hussain asks that route via Ahbuti (Ahmadi ?) should be
reopened. Khans add that they cannot give up Wassmuss as he has been
their guest so long, but suggested {a) that he should be allowed to find his x
way back on the receipt of an assurance from us, or {b) failing such assurance,
he should remain as their guest till end of war; in this case they will give an
assurance that he shall indulge in no further intrigues in propaganda.
O’Connor adds that he ventures to note that settlement may be possible
on these lines ; he has told Khans that he does not think we shall be able to
give any assurance of safety to Wassmuss for his journey.
I imagine second proposition will not commend itself to Government as
it would result in Khans escaping all punishment for their crimes. This
condition is no doubt crux of matter as far as Khans are concerned. I
venture to think that it would be advisable to tell Khans that if they like to
hand over British prisoners to us now, we will be pleased to release Tangistan
prisoners in exchange, but that if they do not do so, it will be worse for them ;
that as they have been dismissed from their Khanships and outlawed by
Persian Government as a result of their misdeeds, it is impossible for us to
give them any assurances even if we desired to do so.
Addressed Tehran; repeated Basrah.
84
Telegram R., No. 928, dated the 20th (received 21st) April 1916.
From—The Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
My telegrams, 152—902 and 154—923.
Perhaps it would expedite release of prisoners if Persian Government
instructed Soulet urgently to detach a party to go to Ahram and release them
as a preliminary taking over the road.
Addressed Tehran ; repeated Basrah.
85
Telegram R., No, 256 F., dated the 20th (received 21st) April 1916.
From —His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
1 0 The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
My telegram, No. 230. Democrats and rebel gendarmes are showing
renewed activity ana on the night of April 18ih placards appeared saying party
would not rest till Kawam and his son were killed. Turkish Brigadier Selim
Bey is still at large and distributing newspaper printed at Constantinople of
most hostile character.
Addressed to London Foreign Office.