File 3443/1914 Pt 2 'German War: German emissaries to Afghanistan' [‎105v] (219/490)

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will be prepared to state terms of His Majesty's Government, but not other
wise. Terms to be dictated to Persian Government should be that Persian
Government must within a week —
(1) take definite steps to punish those Khans who were concerned in
Bushire outrage;
(2) for each British officer killed in outrage, pay compensation at rate
of five thousand pounds, for each sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. killed five hundred
pounds, and for each sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. wounded one hundred pounds;
(3) in regard to German agents now in Persia, take definite action by
having them disarmed, arrested and interned or handed over to
British authorities for deportation ;
(4) recall present Governor-General of Province of Pars.
His Majesty's Government will not only retain Bushire, but will take such
further action to safeguard her interests as the necessities of the situation may
dictate, if Persian Government fail to comply with terms within time specified.
In any circumstances Government of India do not propose that at present
military operations should be taken outside Bushire except that Dilwar might
be bombarded from sea by His Majesty’s ships. We should content ourselves
with merely defensive measures and should attack be repeated trust it may be
repelled effectively.
While we realise that to bring home to the Persian Government the
impossibility of allowing German and Austrian hostile machinations in Persia
to proceed unchecked action of some kind is absolutely necessary, we must not
shut our eyes to the fact that although Persia herself is impotent and a
negligible quantity it will certainly become much more difficult for the Amir
to maintain his position of neutrality in opposition to the warlike tendencies
of his subjects if Persia should in consequence of our action declare war on
Great Britain and Russia, and it must be remembered that declaration of war
will probably create bitter feelings and unrest amongst our own Muhammadan
subjects.
Telegram P., No. 683 S., dated the 17th July 1915.
Prom—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla,
To—His Majesty’s Secretary of State for India, London (repeated to His Britannic
Majesty’s Minister, Tehran).
Persia. Please see your telegram of 10th instant.
Total strength of German parties moving eastwards according to present
information is 196, comprising 29 Germans and 15 Austrians. In the north at
Jandak or Anarak parties numbering about 122 persons, with one machine
gun, are assembling. At Kerman parties numbering 75, with one machine
gun, are assembling.
We trust that Russian authorities will he able to deal with northern
parties as we are powerless to do so. As regards southern parties there are 406
Indian Infantry with five British officers and two machine guns now at Kacha.
Pteinforcements will bring total to two Squadrons Cavalry, 450 Rifles Infantry
and four machine guns, these should arrive by 6th August. Until definite
information is received of approach of German party, no part of this force will
enter Sistan in view of risk of continued presence of our troops exciting
fanatical Baluch and Saiyid factions and creating embarrassing situation there.
Telegram P., No. S. 684, dated the 17th July 1915.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla,
To—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul for Sistan and Kain.
Please refer to your telegrams of 14th July, 109 C. and 110 C.
The reinforcements which are being sent to Kacha will, by about 6tfl
August, increase strength of that garrison to two Squadrons Cavalry, 450 Rnte*