File 469/1917 Pt 1 'Persia: Bakhtiari affairs' [‎212r] (435/535)

Telegram P., No. 443-F., dated (and received) the 9th November 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
Clear the Line. Reference my telegram immediately preceding. Minis
ter of Education called last night about 9-30 and stayed till 1-20 a.m. He said
he had been sent by Cabinet to obtain answers on two points {a) on what
terms we would withdraw troops to Kasvin and (5) on what terms were we
prepared to negotiate for Persia’s benevolent neutrality on terms communi
cated by Minister for Foreign Affairs to us.
There was, I said, little to add as regards («) to what Russian Minister
and I had already told Minister for Foreign Affairs, that is that it did not lie
(? with) us. It seemed to me as if hint thrown out by Minister for Foreign-
Affairs about Government retiring to Ispahan was nothing but a threat
( ? that) if we did not agree to Persia’s requirements in return for her bene
volent neutrality, Persia would throw in her lot with Germany. I was not
much impressed by threat as I was convinced Shah would not care to take
left seat in Prince Reuss carriage and I knew Cabinet did not wush to see
Persia involved in war which could only have results for ber which would be
disastrous.
If in its profess (ions ?) towards us Government was sincere it should have
the courage to declare its policy openly and let the world know that it frankly
accepted our assurances (that) the troops had been moved merely to insure
safety of Legation, etc , and had no purpose of an unfriendly kind. We had
by according moratorium already given proof of our friendliness and we must
have some corresponding sign from Persia. His Excellency said that
the approach of troops might have disastrous effects in provinces. I retort (ed ?)
that position of our Consuls could hardly be worse than it is if there is any
objection to entirely passive attitude of Government and gendarmerie’s
open hostility. As to {h) whole thing looked like blackmail but we were
now in a position of defence ? ? I replied ? ? and to ask us to abandon that
advantage was ridiculous. If troops now withdrew to Kasvin I should pro
bably be in same plight myself as Consul, Shiraz, who has not been able to
leave his garden for two months. That position I declined to accept.
Nearer troops came the better I should be pleased. As to substance of
Persian proposals the more I thought of them the less I understood spirit
in which they had been framed. To accept them in principle as he suggested
sounded well but any acceptance at all as regards two of them was fully
impossible (?) I would communicate them to you and report your reply
to Persian Government.
It was significant that Minister said little or nothing about departure to
Ispahan and so long as we stand fast and allow troops to move nearer
situation may be saved. If we show weakness it certainly will be lost.
In German Legation there is great activity large quantities of flour
furniture, etc., are being packed some being (?) sent to American Legation
during the night. Town perfectly quiet,
Secret. I think that Russian Minister is scarcely adopting an attitude
of strength,
Addressed to Foreign Office, sent Petrograd.
30
Telegram P,, No. 445-F., dated (and received) the 10th November 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
Kindly refer to my telegram No. 443-F.