File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎255v] (142/280)

78
Teheran, Feb. i. 1915.
Confidential.
Dear Major:
A determined effort has been made to put me in as chief
of the gendarmerie to succeed Hjalmarson, but Sir Walter
has decided I think upon retaining Col. Folke, chief at present
at Ispahan, as chief of the gendarmerie, assisted by Majci 1
Moeller and Carlberg; all of the rest of the Swedes to go. As
you have heard no doubt Townley and Korostovetz are ordered
away: to replace the Russian Min. a mild little man will come
from London...
The opinion of the Persians is that if Townley goes it
means that England is turning Persia over to the tender mercies
of the Russians. Borgrave 1 ) and Lecomte 2 ) have wired their
respective govts, saying that Sir Edward Grey should be in
formed that it is their opinion that if Townley leaves and his
personal influence is removed that they believe that Persia
will join with Turkey in the war If Townley remains
I am sure that Korostovetz will remain too. A new cabinet
is being formed. Current opinion is that it will very likely be
a strong pro-Russian cabinet. In that case I do not believe
a single Swede will be allowed to remain in Persia
The Russians re-entered Tabriz two days ago without
opposition; both Townley and Churchill admit that there is
a pro-German sentiment among the Bakhtiaris
My opinion is that if she dared Persia would join the
Turks and if she does the Bakhtiaris and all other tribes will
go along too
The Armenians want me to command a mixed force of
1000 cavalry (Bakhtiaris and Armenians) here at Teheran
to be ready in case Russia should meet a defeat at the hands
of Germany and Persia start to join Turkey....
Hjalmarson sent an impudent letter a few days ago to
Korostovetz which Korostovetz showed to Townley wherein
Hjalmarson said that unless the Russians wanted to cause a
clash they had better leave the gendarmes at Kazvine alone.
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