File 3443/1914 Pt 2 'German War: German emissaries to Afghanistan' [‎93v] (195/490)

Small batches of Germans are coming continually via Kermanshah route
probably Oppenheim in among them. ail(l
Attitude of Bakhtiari at Ispahan is exceedingly doubtful and I ha
evidence that Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Assad, who is here, is playing a double game and probahl 6
Samsam-es-Sultaneh is doing the same. ^ aD v
. South of Ispahan German parties have on more than one occasion inf f ^
rupted Indo-European Department wires and German Consul there has e " « 4
written to Department’s officer threatening to interrupt line. This consid?
able concentration of Germans and Austrians at Ispahan and acts of this ki h"
obviously imply that more than a mere attack on our Consulates is intend D d
and it is popularly rumoured here that German design, which is shared h
democrats, is to carry off to Ispahan both Shah and Government. This is ^
far-fetched idea, but it is not improbable that hostile legations are contemplat!
ing flight to Ispahan in the event of Bussian troops entering Kasvin and
threatening Tehran. Three months ago idea was current topic of conversation
here. Erom Ispahan with communication to Turkey open via Kermanshah
.Germans would hope to throw the whole of Persia into disorder and by
destruction of telegraph lines paralyse Persian Government’s action trusting
to luck to involve Persia in w ar with Great Britain. The idea has also struck
me that they might be threatening our position at Basrah or contemplating
an attack on Anglo-Persian Company’s Oil fields. Loyalty of Bakktiaris
cannot be relied on, as I have mentioned before. While at least one party
Germans has gone away from Ispahan by southern road for unknown destina
tion and their object may be to try and stir up tribes, Kuhgelus for example,
I have also been informed by Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Assad in a manner that veiled a threat
that he w T as trying to negotiate an alliance with Kawam and Kash^ais.
Kumber of small German parties which are proceeding to Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. may
indicate that attempts on their part are being made to gain over those
powerful elements.
Though these speculations m ay appear to be far-fetched, I can offer no
better guess at reasons for Germans and (Austrians ?) coming to Ispahan.
■Whatever these reasons may be, I think that it is imperative that we should
get an end put to intolerable position we are now placed in of having no
responsible Government. This can only be done by appearance of Kussian
troops. I hope Bussian Government will see their way to sending them with
out delay.
Bussian Minister entirely concurs in this opinion.
In the meantime the position of Consuls at Shiraz and Ispahan is
decidedly dangerous, but in the opinion of both Bussian Minister and myself,
to withdraw thim and our colonies might precipitate trouble and would be
interpreted as a sign of weakness. On the other hand w T e see no means of
rendering effective assistance to them.
Addressed to Eoreign Office; sent to Petrograd and India.
42
Telegram P., No. 93, dated (and received) the 4th August 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To-—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart*
ment, Simla.
Secret. I am informed by a confidential agent that a report has reached
German Legation to the effect that two German Agents have reached Afghan
istan and have presented the Amir with a letter from the Emperor of Germany,
a small military aeroplane (possibly a model) and two machine guns. Also a
flag with an inscription upon it in praise of the unity of Islam on behalf of
Turkey.
Though I am inclined to think that my Agent is suspected by the
Germans and that the story is a hoax, I repeat the story for what it is worth.