File 3516/1914 Pt 6 'German War: Persia; general situation May-July 1915' [‎57v] (119/484)

4
Prime Minister tendered his resignation yesterday but consented to remain
in office at the request of the Shah. The position of the Prime Minister,
however, is not a secure one, as MejliS) which is coming more and moie under
Turkish and German influence, displays increasing mistrust of him and is
openly hostile to Persian Minister and Minister of the Provinces. A short
while back the appearance at Enzeli of two or three thousand men might
have proved sufficient, but at the present juncture a larger force, say about
six thousand men at the least, is necessary and situation at Ispahan seems
to offer a plausible excuse for their despatch.
I have no confidence in the ability of Ain-ed-Dowleh to keep things
standing in Tehran for more than few days and unless (rest of sentence
mutilated).
Should Ain-ed.Dowleh fall, the next Persian Cabinet that is formed will
owe its existence to influences of German agitators.
Addressed to Poreign Office; repeated to India, Pasrah and Petrograd.
Telegram P., No. 189 C., dated (and received) the 20th May 1915.
From—The First Assistant to the 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. , Bushire,
Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart -
ment, Simla.
The Officer Commanding Troops here received a telegram yesterday from
the Chief of General Staff, Simla, in which lie was requested to furnish a report
on the situation at Bushire, with reference to possibility of hostilities breaking
out with Persia.
The Officer Commanding consulted me before he despatched his reply
and showed me a copy of his report after it had been despatched.
His reply was to the following effect“ In my opinion the first thing to
he done on the outbreak of hostilities would be for troops to occupy the town,
residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. and custom-house with one hundred and fifty men, depose the
present Governor of Bushire and instal a Military Governor in his stead, and
overawe, if possible, the town and neighbouring villages which shelter about
I five hundred armed men. I should have to be on my guard against attack by
gendarmerie and tribesmen from mainland, composed of about one thousand
gendarmerie and three thousand tribesmen, whose object presumably would be
to crush force at my disposal and interrupt wireless telegraphy and telegraph
communication between Basrah and India”.
The Officer Commanding’s report went on to furnish details of^ bis posi
tion, &c., and finally stated that in his present position the force at his disposal,
viz l seven hundred and fifty men belonging to his owm regiment and His
Majesty’s ship “Lawrence” would be insufficient. He added that to be
certain of matter he would require in addition one battery Mountain Artillery,
one squadron Cavalry and one regiment of Infantry.
I report the above for information and beg to say that I agree in a general
* wav with Officer Commanding and think that the additional troops he asks for
would be necesssary. If war becomes imminent, perhaps the troops could be
brought up the Gulf and stationed at Lao or some other handy place, as in
order 5 to he effective, prompt action would be necessary. A cruiser would he
a verv desirable addition. If one was brought up a landing party from here
could" occupy town, Eesidency (and ?) custom-house—wete your telegram
No. 1806 B.
Addressed Sir P. Cox; repeated to Poreign.
—————
Telegram R., No. 1156 B., dated (and received) the 22nd May 1915.
From The Hon’blb Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.L,
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.
My telegram No. 1029 B.