'Russian Military Designs in Persia. A Strategical fragment' [‎4r] (7/16)

Notes in Intelligznce Branch.
The proposals and opinions of Russian
officers who have visited Persia to study
the country, and for military purposes gen
erally, have led to the following conclu
sions being arrived at: —
I. That for future military operations
in Persia the town of Kum should be
selected as the Base of Operations, for the
following reasons :—
Correct ; but said to be in bad repair just
at present.
(a) from Rasht to Kum there is a
cart-road practicable for every
kind of transport;
(b) the entire route is safe and secure
from any intrigues on the part
of the English;
(c) it is inhabited by a peace-loving
unwarlike people, from whom no
hostile action is to be expected;
Probably not willingly so ; but possibly from
fear they might become so.
(d) on the contrary, everything points
to the inhabitants on both sides
of the route being supporters of
Russian interests.
Tehran to Kum, 85 miles in 4 stages.
II. The importance of this point as a
Base of Operations—distant some 5 — 6
marches from Tehran, the capital of Persia,
which would be left in rear of our troops,
and would thus lose much of its impor-
ance and political influence throughout the
country.
With the capital in our hands we would
gain political predominance not only as
regards Foreign Powers, but in the eyes of
the people themselves.
The material advantages to be derived
would also be considerable.
Kum to Kashan, 50 miles in 3 stages : road
level and good except near Kum where it is
difficult in rainy weather, and near Kashan
where soil is light and sandy. Near Natenz
the road runs through a stony ravine.
ls£ Line of Operations.
1. By advancing the Base of Operations
to Kum we would possess two routes, both
more or less practicable for wheeled trans
port.
The first leads direct due south to Kashan,
and thence, avoiding the passage of the
Kuhrud, proceeds via Natenz to Isfahan.
This road throughout its entire length
T I. B.