File 1323/1916 Pt 1 ‘Baluchistan:- Disturbed conditions on the Anglo-Persian border. Future administration of Mekran, Sarhad & the Kalat States’ [‎100r] (197/896)

Memorandum No. t5ll-S., dated Sibi, tbe 201h February 1924i.
From—Tbe Hon’ble the Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in
Baluchistan,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and
Political Department, Delhi.
Subject:— Withdrawal of British troops from Sarhad.
Eeference your telegram No. 829-S.,* dated the 11 th February 1924
2. A copy of memorandum No. 688 , dated the 13th February 1921, from
Lieutenant-Colonel Keyes, is enclosed for information. I quite agree with
his proposals and am finding the sum of Rs. 3,500 required for final payment
to the Sarhad tribes by re-appropriation.
Enclo. to Serial 5.
Memorandum No. 688, dated the 13th February 1924.
From—The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Kalat,
To—The Secretary to the Hon’ble the Agent to the Governor-General and Chief
Commissioner in Baluchistan.
Subject :— Withdrawal of troops from Sarhad.
Reference your 526-S. o£13th February. The problem of the withdrawal
of British troops from Persian territory falls into two categories :—
(1) The withdrawal from Khwash.
(2) The withdrawal from Luzdap and Mirjawa.
As regards (1), the arrangementf arriyed at in the Foreign Office at Delhi
was that the Khwash detachment should stay for such period up to one month
after the arrival of the Persian troops as might seem advisable.
The first echelon of Persian troops is due at Khwash to-day, the 13th,
and Major Dennys’ preliminary report regarding the attitude of the Damanis
should be received in a few days. I do not consider that a final decision as
to the attitude of the Damanis can be arrived at before March 1st, by which
date I should be able to decide whether a supporting column will be necessary
for the withdrawal.
If, as I anticipate, it then appears that no supporting column is necessary
the withdrawal from Khwash can commence as soon as orders from the
Western Command are received. I consider, therefore, that the actual date
of evacuation should be March Rh.
2. The withdrawal from Duzdap and Mirjawa depends on the ability of
the Persians to control the Sarhad, and their success in this matter depends
on the negotiations with Dost Muhammad being now conducted* from
Kirman. 0 t> •
Owing to the opportunity for delay given by the action of the Persian
Government it is unlikely that it will be possible to formulate an opinion on
this matter for some months.
In any case, it will be inadvisable to withdraw the regular troops till the
additional men of the Makran Levy Corps are ready to occupy the posts on
our side of the frontier.
3 . I anticipate that it will be unnecessary to pay the usual allowances to
the Sarhad tribes after the February allowances have been paid on Marcn 1st,
* Serial No. 279 in File No. 70 (IV)-M.
t Serial No. 181 in File No. 70 (IV)-M.
X Serial No. 277 in File No. 70 (IV)-M.