File 3516/1914 Pt 6 'German War: Persia; general situation May-July 1915' [‎56r] (116/484)

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Telegram, No. 1118 B., dated (and received) the l^Sth May
From—The Hon’ble Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I.,
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Basrah,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Following from Shiraz :— Begins. Wassmuss is now flying German flag.
Telegram P., No. 50, dated the 16th (received 17th) May 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—-The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Please see my telegram, 183.
There has been a very marked improvement in situation during last week
and Russian Minister and I think that Persian Government will check any
further Turco-German activities and succeed in maintaining their neutrality if
we can give them reasonable support.
On 13th May we saw the Prime Minister and told him that we desired to
discuss the situation with him and especially the best manner of co-operation.
We knew that the Persian Government required money but it would be useless
for them to expect (that) (the) two Governments would discuss large measures
of financial reorganisation at this moment, and we could hold out hopes of
nothing more than moderate advances from time to time to tide over period (of)
war. We also mentioned that we must have something definite to submit (to)
our Governments and we should like (to) have a statement in writing as a
guide showing what would be required per mensem.
His Highness replied that he quite understood. By his own methods he
had already done enough to prove that he wished to work with us. He now
hoped that a small sum which was required for urgent expenses could be found,
and with Russian Minister’s concurrence I said that Imperial Bank of Persia
was willing to find (—?) tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. desired. In continuation His Highness said
that he desired to work on those lines and that opportunity should be granted
to him to work his own w^ay and that we should continue to give support if w^e
were satisfied with results. A system in fact of payment by results as it were.
His Highness appears to be very confident of being able to master the
situation and he has some hope of inducing mejlis either to adjourn for a long
holiday or grant him full power.
I fear it will not be possible to re-establish general control over the Persian
Finance. B:ltta!i0U8 (that ?) was abolished when law of Jauza was repealed. At
all events itTs'pretty certain new law which the mejlis are now discussing will
not provide any real safeguards. But I consider that control over the expend
iture of any advances two Governments may agree to make can be kept by us,
and we can make sure that they are applied to the object which we have m
view viz., maintenance of neutrality of Persia. The statement mentioned m
paragraph 2 above has not yet been furnished by the Government of Persia.
Addressed Foreign Office, London; repeated Basrah and Petrograd.
A
Telegram R., No. 1129 B., dated the 17th (received 18th) May 1915.
From
■The Hon’blr Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I,
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in tiie Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Basrah,
T 0 Thu Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
My telegram No. 1109 B., 14-th May.
Following from Shiraz, dated May 14th:—
Begins. I fear that unless Persian Government consent to send instruc
tions to Kawam, making him responsible (or jointly responsible with
merie) for good order in towm of Shiraz, we shall soon have serious tr"
India. Forf;
h il •_ h L i A i\
, dated
10 JUN 1915
No