File 3516/1914 Pt 7 'German War: Persia' [‎146v] (297/519)

36
I have expended freely to encourage the members of clergy and other
individuals inclined to he friendly and render service, but as long as the large
proportion of Arab public were convinced that Turks were in superior strength,
and that there was a good chance of their expelling us from Basrah and Shatt- C
el - A rab, conciliation expenditure was useless.
Situation has been entirely changed by signal defeat of Turks on 14th
ApriL
As His Excellency the Viceroy has observed, in a recent telegram regard
ing Persia, we must depend primarily on “practical proof of our strength .
To cement friendly relations and to ensure active co-operation, I have
subsidised certain Sheikhs on Euphrates with good results, and, as soon as we
show any signs of moving forward, either on Tigris or the Euphrates, a great
deal more will be possible in this connection.
Addressed to Government of India and repeated to India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. .
Telegram R., No. 970 B., dated (and received) the 26th April 1915.
p rom The Hon’blr Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Pkrcy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Poli
tical Resident 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 (iovernment of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Eollowing from Shiraz, April 23rd, No. 98:—
Begins. During last few days, Wassmuss and his friends have been
inundating town with virulent and incentive anti-English pamphlets contain
ing exhortations to revenge and jehad. All my advisers including Kawam
regard situation as very critical and consider popular outbreak as certainty in
near future unless Persian Government take really energetic and effective
steps to cope with evil.
In spite of constant remonstrances, Governor-General does nothing, and
is known, on the contrary, to sympathise (with; and to be supporting pro-
German campaign. Matters have reached stage, when minor measures, such
as transfer of Persian gendarmerie officer from one post to another, can exercise
no real effect on general situation. I have no means of combating German
intrigues except by representations to local authorities and by advice to few
Persian friends who still remain loyal to us.
It is my duty, therefore, to inform Your Excellency that I regard situation
in Ears as extremely critical. I still think that, if Persian Government really
desire to maintain their neutrality, they can do so by energetic action
of the nature outlined in Cox’s telegram No. 893 B.
First and most essential step is removal from Hamadan (?) of Governor-
General and bis replacement temporarily by Kawam. Latter would be
prepared to do all that lies in his power to maintain order and neutrality^ if
appointed to act as Governor-General. Both he and Soulet should receive
instructions from Persian Government to act accordingly.
Other desirable measures are withdrawal of Swedes and deportation of
It Wassmuss and other German emissaries.
If, however, Persian Government fail to agree to any of suggested
measures, or to take any other steps of effective nature to suppress agitation, I
venture again to express opinion that situation will unquestionably go from
bad to worse.
Addressed to Tehran; repeated to Basrah and Bushire. Ends.
Telegram, No. 955 B , dated the 24th (received 28th) April 1915.
From—The Hox'ble 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
Department, Simla.
Minister, Tehran, wires that orders were sent on April 21st to stop ex
pedition to Kamarij.