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File 6/1912 Part 1 'Persia: Shiraz affairs; attack on Mr Smart; Swedish gendarmerie' [440r] (373/472)
The record is made up of 1 item (236 folios). It was created in Jan 1912-Jun 1912. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
J
I
indefinitely prolong the time deemed necessary by Russia for the
retention of her troops in Persia.
If, in existing circumstances, Great Britain temporarily
abandons her interests in the neutral zone, she would have but
little, if any, voice subsequently in putting a limit to the
period of the occupation of that region by the troops of other
Powers. Nor could she well protest against any measures adopted
by such Powers to protect their own interests in Southern Persia,
however disadvantageous such action might be to her hereafter.
Having once withdrawn, it would be difficult for the British
Consulates to be re-established till reparation had been exacted
for the late attacks, and order restored in the neutral zone; but
it is possible that the Persian Government may not be in a
position, or may refuse, to take the necessary action.
4. To maintain our position in South-Western Persia it would
seem neoessary:-
(a) to ensure the immediate safety of the British
Consulates and their escorts, as well as British subjects
at Shiraz and elsewhere in the neutral zcne^
(M bo take such action as may safeguard our interests and
prestige in the disturbed area, till such time as the
Persian Government can itself maintain order.
It is stated on the authority of Mr. Acting Consul G.G.Knox
that in March there will be some 15,000 armed tribesmen in the
neighbourhood of Shirazj while in a later telegram the same
officer estimates the number of tribesmen in pars at from 50,000
to 60,000.
5. Pie cent events ha.ve shown the risks attendant upon the
employment of small detachments of troops in the present disturbed
state of the country.
Local Persians are, themselves, of opinion that serious
disorders amongst the Kashgais and, possibly, other tribes are
practically
About this item
- Content
Part 1 consists of correspondence relating to insecurity in southern Persia, particularly around Shiraz and along the Shiraz-Bushire roads. The papers tell of the British response to the situation, covering the following matters:
- the decision of whether to arm Shiraz or to evacuate the city;
- concern over Russia filling the gap left by the British were they to evacuate;
- the situation on the ground, conveyed in several reports;
- the proposal to occupy Bushire with a battalion and to subsidize local chiefs to maintain the roads;
- the Persian Government plan to employ Swedish officers to command and train a gendarmerie along some of the roads;
- British claims for reparation from the Persian Government following an attack on the Shiraz Consul, Mr Smart, and his escort;
- the question of providing winter quarters for Indian troops in Shiraz should they have remain there for the season.
The discussion over such matters is mostly between the Foreign Office, 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. , War Office, Government of India, and Minister at Tehran. Further correspondence, included as enclosures, is from Percy Zachariah Cox, 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. .
Included is memorandum on the situation in Southern Persia by J E F, Political Department, 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. , 16 February 1912.
- Extent and format
- 1 item (236 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front.
The subject 6 (Persia) consists of this one volume. The volume is divided into two parts.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 6/1912 Part 1 'Persia: Shiraz affairs; attack on Mr Smart; Swedish gendarmerie' [440r] (373/472), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/197/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100028474501.0x000055> [accessed 14 August 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/197/1
- Title
- File 6/1912 Part 1 'Persia: Shiraz affairs; attack on Mr Smart; Swedish gendarmerie'
- Pages
- 254r:289v, 290v:305v, 306v:446v, 447v:489v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence